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.101

OF THE THIRD BIENNIAL CON-
VENTION OF THE Amalgamate

(Cluthituj Barken-, uf Ainrrira. HELD

IN BALTIMORE MARYLAND.
MAY 13 TO 18, 1919.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Call for Convention . .

st Session
Second Sess

(I Session

rth Session

•
Report of General Executive Board.

h Session .
Seventh Session
Eighth Scs>

;i Cession .

ii Session
Appendix

PAQB

7-8

'J'J-41

41' 40

47-58

59-181

6M69

182-192

193-906

207-231

BUB8

273-290

ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE

Delegates t.» Thml I .ntispiece

Baby Carriage 1 ith Army Uniforms to be Finished

in 'lYm'inrnt li . 135

Takin. -us on Baby Carriage for

MJT at Iloni' 137

Child L»l.i»r Kmpli»\v<l in tlie Manufacture of Army

, 138

Call for Third Biennial Convention

New York, March 6, 1918.

To the l mcils, Joint Boards and Local Unions

of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.
Greeting:

In accordance with the provisions of our International Constitution your
e Board herewith calls upon yon to elect your representa-
tives to th i HiKD BIENNIAL CONVENTION to be convened in Baltimore,

tO A M.

is the third con to be held under the banner of the Amalga-

mate ng Workers of Ann :

convention, at the end of 1914, in New York, was an emergency
meeting, held threat stream.

At that t a the escutcheon of the organized clothing workers

was cleansed fmm tiu> accumulated blots and stains of many years of treason,

•ffnt and disaster; cleansed by the class conscious action of the

rank and file, and the name of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of

America was inscribed on it. As time passed it added to its lustre.

Our second convention, in Rochester, was, in at least one respect, a con*
trast to the first one.

While our New York convention was but a mobilization of forces, the

organization having its face set to the future and not wishing to look back

o discouraging past, the second convention was a reunion of a victorious

Our report to that convention told of battles bravely fought and

brilliantly won. For th- ;n<> in the history of the organized clothing

workers we were able to look back upon a past with pride and joy and draw

from it inspiration, courage and hope for the great tasks ahead of us.

The third convention, next May in Baltimore, will be greeted by Uie
greatest hosts of labor ever organized in the clothing industry, with a new
aspiring record of progress and attainments, including the establishment
of the 48 hour week.

The world war is still raging. While at the time our two previous
conventions were held the war was confined to the old world it has sine*
drawn into its vortex also our own country. The problems created by the
war for the labor movement have thereby been made more serious and
complex. Our organization has successfully met those problems in so far as
they concerned us. As a part of the labor movement we must be prepared

in in the future as they may arise.

We are coming to the Third Biennial Convention with a stronger organ-
ization, with a greater record of achievements, with a more powerful

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

and with a sense of self-reliance that will be an inexhaustible source of
courage in the great task of working out our own salvation.

Your local union is entitled to send — delegates for whom credentials are
herewith enclosed. The duplicates are to be forwarded to the undersigned
immediately upon the election of the delegate. The originals are to be pre-
sented by the delegates to the Convention's Committee on Credentials.

We hope that you will select your ablest members to represent you and
that you will send a full delegation to the convention. Let all of us make
oar full contribution towards making the coming convention even more
successful than were the preceding ones.

The General Executive Board take this occasion to congratulate the
membership upon the splendid achievements of our Organization and to
express their thanks for the trust reposed in them.

"With best hopes for a successful convention and continued success there-
after, and hoping to meet a full representation of our membership in Balti-
more, we extend to you fraternal greetings.

GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD OP THE AMALGAMATED

CLOTHING WORKERS OP AMERICA.
JOSEPH SCHLOSSBERG,

General Secretary.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

First Session.

Baltimore, Monday, May 11,

The Third Convention of the Amalgamated rioth'nf Worker* of America was
called to order at 11:15 a. m.. Monday. May 13th, 1918. in the Garden Theatre, by Mr.
Hairy Elsen, President of the Dlitrlct Council of Baltimore. No 3. The arrival of

man and Secretary Schlossberg waa greeted with trstaeudB
errerybody rising to greet them with cheers and prolonged applause.

Opening Address of Brother Cleen
FtOow Delegate* :

It !• the great eat honor I ever expected to hare to be able to open thU
of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Thanking the members of thla

or the United States and Canada. I wiah to aay that we are happy that
haa been chosen by them for this Third Biennial CoorenUon of the

! think that Baltimore deaerres It Baltimore waa. so to aay. the cradle of the
Amalgamated. The strength of the Amalgamated was first tested In Baltimore. The
minute the Amalgamated came to life In Nashville, in 1914. that very minute the
Amalgamated had to begin the battle for its existence in the city of Baltimore. At
that time we had a strike in the biggest factory of this city, and one of the biggest in
the United States — a firm that employed in the neighborhood of three thousand
tailors and cutters. The Amalgamated took up the fight and won. Not only did the
Amalgamated fight its first battle in Baltimore, but even the spirit of the Amalgamated
was first born in Baltimore. The Tailors' Council, you will remember, had its origin
in Baltimore.

The Amalgamated has made wonderful progress in Baltimore. Organisations that
have been in existence for twenty-five, thirty and forty yean have not dared to
undertake the tasks that the Amalgamated has undertaken in Baltimore. And we
have succeeded.

When the Amalgamated was first organised here, when the oflice was first
lished in this city, our total membership in Baltimore was 1 SCO dues paying
and about the same number of non-dues paying members. As yon know, in

t we used to have two kinds of members, does paying and non-does)
Today we have in Baltimore 10.000 full-fledged does paying members of the

Clothing Workers. (Loud applause.) One thing that we did lose la
is the non-dues paying members. They all became dues paying meml

I bid you welcome, delegates, officers and guests, to this Third
tlon of tho Amalgamated Clothing Workers, on behalf of the 10.000
of the Amalgamated army.

I shall now Introduce to you our President. Brother

President Hlllman waa greeted with applause, everybody rising and cheering.

At this point the arrival of Judge Panken and Assemblyman ShtplaeosT and
Charles W. Ervln. editor of the New York Call, was greeted with r:
ajplsjaa*.

President Hlllman's Address

Delegates to this Third Biennial Convention:

is a privilege to meet here at this Convention. We come here lepieseiilliig
every place on the North American Continent where clothing is made. We are
representing an army of over 100.000 organised clothing workers. Not only do those
members look to you at this Convention, but every man. woman and child who

he clothing industry looks to you. and wishes you success in you

Upon your decisions, upon your work here, will perhaps depend the fotore of _

>usands of men and women who have to labor in the clothing industry. Our
organization has a message not only to the clothing workers— we bring a message of
hope, a message of cheer to every worker organised or unorganised, in this cooatry.

We meet here now two years after our last Convention, and have a woaitiful
record of achievement to show. During those two years, through she efforts of our
organization, the clothing industry that had been a sweatshop industry has been
transformed by us into an industry in which men and women need not he ashamed
to work. We have civlllied the Industry. We have humanised some of the esmaloyett
in the industry and we brought a sense of dignity and self-respect to every ***ff and
woman working In this industry. My friends, it was in the coarse of those two

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OP AMERICA

that the forty-eight hour week was made an accomplished fact. It was the
work of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.. My friends, this waa
brought about not by any well wishing; It was bravery fought for by the members of
our organiiatlon. For weeks and months the men and women stood out on the
of Montreal. Canada, at a time, when the conditions made for the most intense
Girls were on the picket line In weather of 30 degrees below zero. They
But they held out and as a result the forty-eight hour week is now

ion fought, and some died, in the great struggle in the city of
the forty-eight hour week waa the great issue raised by our organization.
We hare raised the standard of wages so that we are coming near the American
In the clothing industry. I want you, delegates, to grasp this point, that if
standards mean high standards of living, that It is the organization of
that stands and fights for those American standards of living.
Tbe employers Introduced In the days past Russian standards, Chinese standards,
rds. It was up to our organization, the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers ol America* to fight and establish American standards. We have time and
again readjusted and brought up the wages so as to meet changed conditions. All
else that waa accomplished was accomplished through our organization. The em-
ployers throughout did not hesitate to throw the full burden of the present crisis upon
Che workers.

When this country entered into the war, a situation arose in which unscrupulous
employers saw an opportunity to crush whatever there was of labor organizations;
they were ready, under the cloak of patriotism, to crush democracy at home, no matter
what happens abroad. In our own industry, when the contracts were given out for
army clothing and uniforms that the youth of the nation is to wear — the uniforms that
our own members In the thousands are wearing today — the non-union employers, who.
reason received the contracts, introduced the worst kind of sweatshop condi-
the manufacture of army uniforms. We found at a time when tens of
thousands of skilled clothing workers were out on the streets looking for work, that
the uniforms went to the tenements — to be made under the most unsanitary conditions.
That may have been the cause of the great mortality among the soldiers in the camps
here at the beginning of the mobilization. Investigations have shown that Army
uniforms were made in places where there was actual disease — contagious disease.
These employers saw their opportunity to bring in child labor, to replace men by
women, all. understand me, under the cloak of patriotism. I understand that one firm,
conspicuous in this market for the brutal conditions prevailing in its shops, appealed
to the women to "enlist." Enlist for what? To help this particular manufacturer
profiteer on the Government of the country. We have taken up our grievances with
the representatives of the Government in Washington. We have shown those em-
ployers in their proper light. As a result, changes were made that improved enor-
mously the labor conditions in the manufacture of uniforms today.

We not only won conditions for ourselves, but we have created a situation where
this country will be spared the disgrace of having Army uniforms manufactured under
sweatshop conditions.

Men who presumed to speak for labor made themselves the willing tools of the
employers and fought against decent standards of labor on Army clothing. Fortu-
y did not succeed. I want to say to you. delegates, that the brand) of tho
administration in Washington which has charge of the manufacture of Army clothing,
deserves our heartiest thanks for its sincere and earnest attempt to protect labor
standards. The war has created a condition where every one must assume his part
of the responsibility.

It is no more a question as to the causes of the war. I feel today stronger than
at any time that labor will suffer its greatest defeat if the autocratic power of Germany
will have its way.

My friends, democracy is not confined to any branch of our life. Democracy
can not really exist politically, if there Is industrial slavery. And if the forces of
political autocracy should be victorious In this great struggle, it will mean a victory
for Industrial autocracy.

My friends, the war was started over night. The peoples of the world knew
nothing about It. It was done by individuals with tremendous power over the lives
of the people. It was in their secret sessions that war was declared. Labor has a
responsibility to see that peace should not be made in the same fashion. The settle-

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

inent of this great world struggle BOA be made by tae
Individual rulers.

My friends, there are a great number In this country who
own German rule la Issarieaa industries. We hare paid a
-captains of industry'. And what do we find? We flod that Industry
every instaace where the Mad for production made Itself felt by the
gency The old system of individual responsibility la not only unjust, but is
and criminal for the country generally. We all must look forward to a
will abolish poverty, unemployment, and all other •ufTertngs that are caused by the
pratent Industrial system.

I hope that your deliberations will strengthen still more the power of the
ration, will bring still greater unity, and make for a better futuro — a
a free world politically and Industrially (Tremendous applauat)).

After his address President HlUman assumed the chair.

Election of Committee on Credentials

President HILLMAN: According to the rules laid down at
the first order of business will be the election of a Committee on Credentials Yo»
all know the reason for this procedure. I hope that you will waste as little time a*
possible on tilt flection of a Committee on Credentials, so that they can proceed with
the work and that the Convention may expedite matters In dealing with the great
number of problems that are awaiting us. Declaring this Convention open and
for the transaction of business I shall entertain a motion for niMliiillussl of a
mlttee on Credentials.

Delegate ALEX. COHEN: Mr. President. I more that you appoint a committee
subject to the approval of the Convention.

Preslden* HILLMAN Brother Cohen. I will have to rule your motion out of
order. We shall not start this Convention by making possible the blunders of other
conventions. (Laughter and applause).

Several members were nominated by the delegates to the Convention and all the
nominees were asked whether they accepted or declined. The following seven
accei

!.. Well* Local 116 Montreal

L Rerayle Local 3 New York

Jack Blame Local 1 Boston

Stephan Skala Local 8 Chicago

Joseph Goodman I /oral S v York

Jos. Gold Local 156 New York

Hyman Blumberg District Council No. 3 Baltimore

President HILLMAN: I forgot to announce that we are to elect a commit tee
of five. To save the time of the Convention, we will call this the Credential Committee,
here was no objection. President Hillman requested the committee to take the
credentials and retire to another room and report later to the conrentioiL)
(The Credential Committee retired In accordance with his Instructions):
President HILLMAN: Gentlemen. I hare great pleasure to introduce to roe, a maa
who has been a friend of our organization in the past, who has the confidence of oar
membership in this city to such an extent that when they were looking for a
of our Industrial court in one of the largest houses in this city, they
•elected him for that position. I have the pleasure of introducing to you the
of the Trade Board under the agreements with the Henry
Strouse Brothers. Judge of the Juvenile Court Jacob M. Moses- (Applause.)

Address of Judge Moses

"resident, delegates, ladles and gentlemen: I esteem It a rery high
nly a great pleasure, to welcome you to our city. (Applauae). As yo«
Baltimore Is one of the Important clothing centers of the) country and tta reputation ta
at least partially to be placed to the credit of the Amalgamated deta-
in* Workers of America. (Applause.) I say this because tl

clothlnp industry of Baltimore, and the rank and file of

been looking forward with pleasure and hope to the meeting of this

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMEK

the muesli which you will bring and which you will leave with us, and which, I am
•ore, will prove an inspiration and an incentive to still greater achievements in indus-
trial freedom and Justice. (Applause).

This Convention. I believe, Mr. President, is the first which your organization has
held aince our entrance into the great world's conflict which is now raging. This is
CM of the moat critical periods in the history of the world, and each and every one of
m trom our noble President. Woodrow Wilson (loud applause), to the humblest mem-
ber of this organisation, must dedicate himself and herself to the furtherance of the
crest cause of humanity and democracy (applause). In this great world's conflict,
Is playing a leading part, and it is universally recognized that the outcome of
struggle for freedom will mainly depend upon labor in the various belligerent
Let the keynote of this Convention be "Service" — service not only to our-
selvesYbut service to others, and especially service to our country in this great crisis
(applause). I want it to go forth from this convention hall not only throughout the
dty of Baltimore, but throughout this nation, that the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
of America are wholeheartedly, loyally and unreservedly supporting the President of the
United States (great applause), and that we are ready and willing to dedicate, not only
ourselves, but all that we hold dearest in the world for the purpose of winning thin
war (applause). We can not afford to have any slackers in our ranks. Every man and
rrery woman must do his or her duty. And I fool ronfidf»nt that labor will do its
duty and will make all the sacrifices necessary to win the war (applause). All that tho
workers ask is a square deal. All that labor demands Is justice. An honest day's work
Is worth an honest day's pay. And it is the duty of this great nation, which Is fighting
for Justice and democracy, to say to us that the profiteers of the country, no matter how
rich or how influential or how powerful they may be, shall not exploit the toiling masses
of our people (applause), and shall not rob the worker of the Just share of the products
of his own industry. The ideals of justice and democracy for which we are fighting
abroad should be put into practice here at home (applause), and our government and
our people must realize that the unfair and rapacious employer of labor is an enemy to
the peace and the freedom and the democracy of the world no less than the political
autocrat wtoo is conspiring to deprive the people of thoir liberties (applause). Our
President has said that "this is a war to make the world safe for democracy." But
let us remember that democracy is not an end in itself. Democracy is only a means
to a certain end. And the aims of democracy are the conservation of life — the safe-
guarding of the liberty and the promotion of the happiness of the people (applause).
As your distinguished chairman said, political democracy alone can not accomplish
these ends. Political democracy must go hand in hand with democracy in Industry.
(Applause.)

Mr. Chairman, I can not close thf^ ' marks without reference to an address

which was delivered in the city of Baltimore in November last. On that occasion the
National Consumers' League met here in an annual convention and the Honorable
Secretary. Newton D. Baker (applause) who is the President of that organization,
delivered an address on industry in war time.

I want to read a few words from this address because this organization especially
is Interested in some of the things Mr. Baker said. He said: "It will do us no
good whatever to send our sons to France to fieht for our political rights if while
they are waging the battle we surrender our industrial and our social rights here at
home. ... It does us no good to be able to vote for people; it does us no good
to be able to call ourselves free and to describe our land as the land of the free unless
we have all the component parts of real freedom. And that means the political liberty
to recast our industrial life so that it will really be a life of opportunity to the least
person who lives under it.

"Now, our sons are going to France — many of them to stay — many of them to
return, and when they come back they will see the Statue of Liberty. They will sail
Into New York harbor proud of their victories, proud of their honor?. And I am filled
with an exalted state of enthusiasm about the kind of armies we are sending to
France. It Is just such an army as a free people ought to send, an army that has
Ideals in its individuals as well as In Its collective mass, an army that is going upon
no selfish quest, is not seeking to take something from somebody, Is divorced from
all ancient notions that used to bring about wars of prestige or of conquest. It is
going upon a purely idealistic basis. In a certain sense they are material warriors In
a spiritual warfare; and when they have finally done the thing which they must do,
when they have finally established on the frontiers of France the eternal dominance of

BALTIMORE CONVsW

free over autocratic institution*, when they hare done that, they will come 1
And when they come I want them to find not a dissipated aad depressed life
I do not want them to find that th.-y hare been chasing one corner of freedom
the others have been utterly lost, but I want them to come back to wives
and mother* and brothers aad children filled with robust health, people who hare
worked in Industry aad commerce, people who hare produced the goods upon which
life depends, people who hare filled the workshops and the factories and the fields with
labor, done under wholesome conditions. Let them find that, as they were fighting
•» end of the frontier and winning one corner of freedom's fields, we st boms)
were enlarging lea of Industrial liberty, that we wore laying out now bovn-

daries of real freedom hare among ourselves, that we were enlarging the lessons we
bad hitherto learned of the value, the Indlspenslbleness of wholesome OuMHIOiis for
people who do the labor for the world, and establishing condition* which It will be a
iiege, for them to come back to rather than a gr

And. In closing, he referred to one moro significant matter which I want to
call to your attention, and of which this Convention should be told. He said:

•The privates' uniforms of the Army of the United States are not
in sweatshops; not one of them Is being made In sweatshops. Under i
which have been made for the manufacture of the clothing of the Army. It is
substantially :•. -lor sanitary conditions, not in the homos of people

to lire in congested places: under suitable restrictions as to hours of labor
and u:i J. r proper wage scales, so that for once at least the Government of the
United States assumes the character of a model employer In a vital Indus'

(Loud applause).

Now. delegates, who Is responsible for the fact that for the first time, st least
In my recollection. & cabinet officer Is able to get up before the country aad boast
fact that the, United State* I* a model employer It I* due to the untiring
efforts— to the in*1 strength of Sidney Hlllman (loud applause). In his

modest way he gave credit for this achievement to the entire membership of your
organization, when It was thla quiet man with the still, small rolce. who in lesion
and out of season, who almost wore out the railroad ties between her** aad Wash-
ington, going over to in high place— those In power— and with his quiet
•istinle insistence forced the Gor eminent to have the uniforms

made In decent shops J Applause). And so. through the efforts of your executive
officers, you hare enal i State* Government to take the proud position

that it now boast*, to be "a model employer In a rital Industry" (Applau*

So. ladle* and gentlemen, in welcoming r< city of Baltimore, aad I

much int. hear the opening speech of Mr. Risen who aald that Baltimore

was the cradle of the Amalgamated—well, gentlemen. It might be the cradle, bnt
the Amslgamated 1* not asleep h -r and applause). In welcoming

you. therefore, to our city, and to pltality. I also want to extend

to you our congratulations upon the great achierement* which hare been rtrlewod
In the address of your President, and to expre!* the hope and the conviction that
the deliberations and the discussion! of this Convention will add new hope and
new cheer and new inspiration, not only to the workers of thl! organization or of
this city, but to all the worker* of America (applau*

President HIM • Delegates, our organisation prides itself upon bavin*

a great numb> nles. But those who sre our friend* are real friends, and as

one of the officers of the organization. I can hardly distinguish between the) otleatl
elected by you for your daily work, and a number of others who hare glren up all
the time they could snare from other work to help In the building of our organixa-
tion. The one I am going to present to you was one of our officer*: for s while la
New York city our membership elected him as manager of their joint board. And
they thought so well of his work that they hare elected and re-elected him to the
State Assembly. I take pleasure in Introducing to yon Brother

Assemblyman Abraham ShlplacofTs

I don't know whether our worthy President realised what a compliment ho paid

me just now. It Is said that the successful teacher Is one who makes himself useless

(laughter), and. to a certain extent. I can show the same accomplishment, Mr. PrenV

I was the manager of the Joint Board of New York, and in a very short while

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

I brought the organization to such a successful stand that I made myself useless in It
(Laughter.)

FrUnds. I am mindful of your Ume, and I feel that, at least for me, this Is no
place and no Umo for making any Ion* speeches, so I am going to spare you. I
Inflict it occasionally upon the rank and file, and you. as the representatives of tht
rank and file, hare to take In the dose anyhow. So If I have anything of an extensive
nature to tell you. I will reserve it for such time as you will have to listen, whether
you like It or not. (Laughter.)

To-day I want to express Just one thought, chiefly for my own satisfaction, and
I want to say the following:

There are times In the life of every Individual, as well as in the history of groups
of Individuals and of organizations when they face certain situations — certain prob-
lems, certain tasks in life which they cannot measure themselves at the time when
they approach those situations. And I think that it Is a very fortunate thing that
things happen that way.

I feel to-day that four years ago, when this organization was at its incipient
stage, that If those men and women who have been at the helm of this organization
for the last four years, and who have been steering it so beautifully and successfully,
I feel that if some of the men and women had at that time realized what a tremendous
{ft* they had before them, the amount of work they had to accomplish, the acuteness
of the struggle that they were to engage In, the possibilities are that some of them
would have lost courage and would not have tackled the proposition. Fortunately,
we do not always figure out carefully beforehand Just what is facing us — I say "for-
tunately" In this particular case. And I want to say to you, delegates, to-day that
tome of you probably don't quite realize what you are here for — I mean not to the
fullest extent to which I, as an observer, not as a co-worker, can see it. What I say
to-<iay Is not subject to the rules of the Credentials Committee. I am not even subject
to the rules that may be laid down by the President. I happen to be a free lance
today. I don't know just whom I represent, except, maybe, the firm known as
"Ship." Some of you know it. And I am happy to say that around that "Ship" in
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America I have built up both a friendship and
a comradeship of which I am quite proud. (Loud applause.)

Tou will no doubt in the next few days be deliberating upon questions of material
importance to your members, and not for one moment would I urge you to do any-
thing else. You have plenty of problems to solve yet. I would ask you — I would
ask you that at least in your subconsciousness you remember this fact — and I want
to repeat again that what I am going to say no one but I myself am responsible for.
At least in your subconsciousness you must remember that organized labor In this
country, while, relatively speaking, It has accomplished a great deal, In my humble
opinion It has not quite succeded in its highest mission, for if it had, this organiza-
tion would be part and parcel of the organized American labor movement. (Applause.)

I have not come here to quarrel with anybody, but I want to tell you something
which occurred a few days ago In the city of Paris. At the conference of the Inter-
Allied Labor Organization of the Allied countries, the delegates of the official labor
organization of the United States have had the experience of being told that which they
should probably have been told long ago. And when I say it, I say it not only with
the profoundest respect, but with the love, with the wannest feelings toward the two
and a half millions of the rank and file of the American Federation of Labor. Un-
fortunately, I cannot feel the same way toward some of their leaders, and It Is these
leaders who were told something which you may as well know to-day, as you are
going to start on the deliberations of your Convention.

Mr. Thomas, one of the greatest statesmen of Europe and recently a member
of the Cabinet of France, said something to the gentlemen who represent that little,
funny, stout gentleman of American organized labor, when they tried to bring his
spirit Into conditions abroad. They told the American delegation, "We are very
sorry. We should very much like to have you in our company, but if your point of
•Hew is as narrow as It is, why, it is not very essential. The British, the French,
and the other countries who are represented at the Allied conference will somehow or
>ther manage to get along without you." (Enthusiastic applause and laughter.) I
have not for one moment given up the hope, the sincere and ardent hope to see the
day when this apparent estrangement, apparent estrangement — not real — apparent
estrangement between this organization and part of the rest of labor of this country

BALTIsfOBB CONVENTION

will be a thing of the past. But at the aame time. I not only hope, but I am
if I understand the mettle of which you men and women art made, that It will not
be done by the bending of yoor knee Nor will H have to be done by the coaHssj
of the great forces of American labor. It will simply have to be done sot* in or
later by putting aside those few individuals who stand between you and the rest of
the workers of the United Stale* (Loud and prolonged applause.) to I today,
not responsible to any one. not even to the President, until he Ulls me to sit down
(Laughter), will say right here that I. for one. would very much btke to see that part
of organized labor which has official recognition represented here to-day.

But In the words of that great statesman, mttered a few days ago. In Part*. 1
will say that for the present, at least. It seems to me that it Is not absolutely easen-
tlal (Laughter and applause.) And I assure you. my friends, that I would not feel
that way— I would not say ao if I thought that the great number of members of the
American labor movement had any 111 feeling toward you. I would not say so If I did
*nd I think that 1 have a right to say that I know eemettlng about the
attitude of the rank and file of the workers of the United State* toward this organ-
tsation. because I happen to be the "Wandering Jew" that keeps on moving from
one part of the country to another. (Laughter ) I have. In fact within the last two
or three years, covered some seventeen or eighteen thousand miles in this country, and
I don't usually stop at the Millionaires* Club when I come to a city. (Laughter ) It
Is usually rubbing elbows with worklngmen and worklngwosaen. and I And. and I
assure you that I am not mistaken in that respect, that not only I* there no ill
In the hearts of the great mass of American worker* toward the
ing Workers of America, but much further than that, thousand*, ten of
are beginning to look with an eye almost of envy toward your organization. (Ap-
plause.) They may not be allowed in some places to say it loud enough, but they
aro beginning to thtnk It pretty loud. (Lauprhtpr and applma- ) They are beginning
to point a finger and say, "that seems to be the real stuff." (Langhter.) And I want
yon. my friends, to bear that in mind. It is Important that you should bear It In
mind all the while, while you are deliberating upon wages and hours and conditions
of work which are absolutely important, which are the foundation and basis of an
economic organization.

It Is Important that you should remember that the imilgntinftil nothing Work-
era of >f the organizations outside of the pale of the
American labor movement, which Is becoming the beacon light for the
labor movement (applause), and because of that— because I hope that I am not mis-
taken in my views. I feel spontaneously like congratulating you from the rte»(l»s of
my heart upon your achievements ever since that convention in Nashville. Teen.

Presld- MAN: Brother Shiplacoff. or. rather. Brother Ship— the ship, by

the way. that has never been shipwrecked— warned us that he Is personally reeponafbit)
for what he would say. Not knowing what he might say. I knew, though, that he wttl
never succeed In making us not love him no matter what he says.

When I waa elected president of this organization in the city of Nashville, 1
happened to be in the city of New York, connected with another organiiatloi :
received the Information by wire that I was elected president In a few hours I
received another wire directing me what to do. You understand the power of the
President (laughter), and this wire was signed by one whom we need to can Jacob
or Jack Panken (applause). I don't brin* this to vonr notice as a matter of
mendatkm. You know Panken better than I do. Brother Panken has
with our organization from Its : York members and the

of other labor organizations listening to his speeches about justice decided
all to test him and let him show what justice translated Into court
and elected him judge. I am glad to present to you now one who used to be Jacob
Panken. but to-day I* Judge Panken.

(Judge Panken received an ovation and tremendous cheering. The
so loud and prolonged that he could not apeak for several minutes).

Judge Panken'* Address

Mr. President. Delegates) to the Convention. Ladles and Gentlemen:
that some time ago. in t of Baltimore, the

rnited States, about six weeks ago. 1 think, delivered a speech. And
things the President said, "we have got to make the world a safe place to live In
heartily concur and agree with that sentiment that this world has got to be made a
safe place to live in. And It does appear to me. my friends, that we have always
attempted to moke this world a safe place lo live in. Not only the labor

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

which holds 1U convention this morning, but labor throughout the world has ever
fought to make the world a safe place to live in. (Applause.) There is no other
purpose and no other end to which labor can consecrate Itself than to make the world
a safe place to lire In.

A great many people who are not connected with the labor movement believe
that there is a selfish motive that springs from the heart which brings the people
in myriads into the folds of the labor movement. A great many people believe that
it is the desire for material comfort, for material goods that brings men and women
Into the ranks of labor. A great many people believe that men and women are
attracted to the trade unions and to the radical labor movement tho world over simply
because they expect something in return which can be measured in dollars or which
can be measured in hour*. But there is nothing more untrue than that theory and
than that idea. Men and women do not go on the picket line, men and women do
not spend their nights, men and women do not open the gates of the prisons and
enter them because they want more bread, because they want a few more minutes'
Mm*

Men and women do not brook the club of a policeman upon their heads in order
to get another cent— in order to get another half hours' time, in order to get a bigger
piece of meat, In order to get a bigger piece of bread. Oh. no, my friends! The
labor movement has a soul, and it is the soul, the spirit of the labor movement that
calls you and calls me and calls the millions to work, aye, and fight, aye, and die, so
that the labor movement may live and may realize its great ideal! (Applause). To
make the world a safe place to live in, not only live physically, but live spiritually;
not only feed the stomach, but feed the soul; not only feed yourselves, but feed the
generations that are to come; not only live now, but to make the world better for
posterity. That is the aim, that is the mission of the labor movement, my friends.
We ask for an increase in wages, but we are not satisfied with an Increase. We
ask for a reduction in our time of labor, but we are never satisfied with that reduc-
tion; in our hearts and In our souls there is something stirring which makes us
discontented, which makes us dissatisfied with the things that we get to-day, with
the things that we got yesterday. It is that motive force, that motive power that
Impels us into the future and tries to get from the future the things that belong to
human beings, the things that belong to the workers! (Loud applause.) And It is,
as your President said. Justice that we are looking for. It is justice that we are
beckoning. It is justice that we are aiming for. It is justice that we are striving
to capture.

And it is not a justice that is to be given to us! That is the point that I want
to make clear. I want every man and every woman within the reach of my voice
to understand this fact — It is not a justice that is to be given to us that we want —
It is a justice that is our* that we want, a justice that belongs to us! (Great ap-
plause.)

Of course, the Amalgan^ted Workers of America have made a horrible mistake
In electing me a judge, you know, because I have got to give you Justice. (Laughter.)
But it cannot be done. I cannot give you any Justice. You see, I have got
to be a jvdge because you fellows wanted me to be a judge. That is all there is to
Hut Judge Moses told me a secret a moment ago — he said, "What you have
got to do is to resign long before you become for did that, too. TIo

resigned. I don't know whether I am going to resign, friends. I expect to see
Socialism established before my time is up! (Applause.)

We are on the threshold of a new system. We are on the threshold of new and
big thinps. The President has referred to industrial democracy— to Individual respon-
sibility as compared with collective responsibility mo direct your attention to
this fact. Mr. Baker says In a speech that the United States Govemmont can now
boast of being a model employer in the garment industry. Let me just add one
thing to that — that United States Government has convicted and sentenced private
management and individual control of big business. The railroads of the United
States are now in the hands of the United States Government. And it Is only a little
while when the mines in thin country will be turned Oypr into the hands of the
Government And it Is only a short while when the steel business will be turned
over into the hands of the Government. The shipping trade has already been ap-
propriated by the United States Government. And let me tell you that the spirit
that is prevailing in the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America is being spread

BALTIMORE

throughout the country, and the railroads and the
industry asd the other industries that the United States Govf
over will never be returned to private ownership. They are
hands of the United States of America, (Great applause.)

The English Labor Party has put out a program which is magnificent in its en-
tirety. English labor la not satisfied with a fair day's wages for a fair day's work.
English labor asks its Government at this moment that the Osverisunt tnrn over
to the trade unions the railroads so that the trade unions shall operate and JimoBfeJ
ically manage the railroad. (Applause.) Things are beginning to move and are mov-
ing much more rapidly than we think They are moving orach more rapidly than we
can see— so swiftly we cannot see the rapid movement that to going on through-
out the world, aa tb« President said In a letter to the New Jersey Democrats some
time ago He said. "When the boys return from the other aid*, they will not be saUe-
fled with economic serfdom any more." The President is a big-ganged man with a
great big outlook upon affairs, and be realizes that when the boys come back from
the trenches they will not be willing to go back Into economic serfdom. They win
want Industrial freedom and they will know how to get It! (Great applause.)

human hlatory. Hlatory is being made right In front of us from day to

o hour, and from moment to moment And permit me to tell you. lUlanfis to
the Convention, that you gentlemen and you ladles are making history
tory which will be written In capital letters and Inscribed in gold, for yon

'rom the tailor shops, you men and you womei
the Ironing boards, you men and you women are just like the
through the Desert of Sahara, showing the way to labor, to final
liberty. That la the thing that we are doing, that is the great and
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. You men and you
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, divorced from the
labor movement, not hampered by tradition, not shackled by
you women of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, into your
been entrusted the banner of Industrial freedom, the banner of industrial liberty.
Remain loyal, remain faithful to the task that has been put Into your hands! (Loud
and prolonged applause.)

President HILLMAN: I always knew that Brother Panken Is reedy to
all sacrifices for labor. Now we know that the greatest sacrifice be has made so Car
was by becoming Judge In the Interests of labor.

Our organization, finding so much opposition, while making such wonderful
ress in spite of so much opposition, is greatly indebted to the labor press I
that we have not with us at this opening session of the Convention Comrade)
ham Cahan of the "Forward" (applause). He has always stood by our
But not only the "Forward." a great number, all tbe rest of the real labor
helped our organisation In the difficult struggles of the past I am glad that we have
us at this session the editor of the "New York Call" fApptausM. labor's
mouthpiece In the city of New York, which has always stood ready to help us since
Comrade Enrin has been in charge of the editorial policy of tbe paper. I take great
pleasure in presenting to you Comrade Charles W. Ervln.

Address of Charles W. Ervin

I am glad to be Introduced as the editor of the "Call." but I fee! that the
dent has not given me the honor that he should have given me. I have had the

lege of having been an organizer In the needle trades. (Applause.) My
in your movement comes entirely from the fact that you recognize that
citizenship amounts to nothing unless you have industrial citizenship (Applause.)
all you are Interested in is to get a little less poverty by a little more wages— a II.
better conditions, a little shorter hours, your organization would not interest me
the least If any organisation of men and women has so little spine as to be
to organize Just for a little less poverty, that organization is not worth

It is because the Amalgamated baa not been content to do this that It c .

real historic position In the organized labor movement If you win examine Its

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

itution yon will find it entirely different from most of the constitutions of the
older labor organizations. And because your constitution is so different, because
you act upon it, your organization is loved by you and damned by the capitalist
class. (Applause.) Take the entire history of the Amalgamated movement and yon
will find that every endeavor has been made through lack of publicity, through libel-
ous statements, through abuse, to keep you from growing. But in spite of it all you
are growing, growing, growing. And it is up to you to put the Declaration in prac-
tice in this country. We hear very much about this Declaration that gave us
political rights. We hear piffling politician? talk about it. We hear them recite about
gtnrernment by the consent of the governed, about life, liberty and happiness. But
you will never secure those things — the Declaration will stay only proclaimed — until
the workers through industrial citizenship put that Declaration into practice. (Ap-

Knowing that you are tired, and having the misfortune to follow speakers who
exhausted almost the whole field of human endeavor and human thought, I
will close by just wishing that you keep alive the same noble discontent that is now
found in your ranks — that great discontent that will never be satisfied until you re*
ceive a real living wage — the best of everything for those who make everything. 1
you. (Loud applause).

President HILLMAN: Delegates to the Convention, we are going to devote
session to addresses of welcome. The Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
is different in many respects from other labor organizations. We have
it our aim not only to satisfy our economic needs, but also those which will
tually uplift the men and the women in the ranks of labor. And so we have
amongst our friends, not only such as are directly connected with the labor move*
ment, but also such as are interested in the promotion of progress generally. We
find our friends amongst the artists who see in our organization tho beautiful
soul of the labor movement. We have one of our friends of this class, as I may say,
with us. I have now the great pleasure of calling upon one who is known to every
one who reads the Jewish literature and a great number who have the opportunity
to be conversant with his work in other languages. Our friend David Plnski will
address the Convention in Yiddish.

Address of David Pinskl

(Mr. Pinski spoke in Yiddish. The following is a translation:)
Twenty-five years ago, I began the song of the Jewish people, of the Jewish
workers. It is said that at that time there were almost no Jewish workers, but I
have discovered them intuitively, by a holy spirit. For twenty-five years I have been
writing, while the Jewish workers were very scarce and few between. I feel happy
that I can now greet a part of the Jewish workers' labor movement, a strong labor
union, the majority of which are Jewish workers, a union that counts the Jewish
members in the tens of thousands, Jewish workers, Jewish fighters. I feel happy
on this occasion. I also feel that as a poet I have in you at present material for
further writing.

I see in you, not only fighters for daily brea }. not only fighters for shorter hours
of labor — I also see in you that which Judge Panken said: "The spiritual power,
fighters for a better spiritual life."

I greet you, therefore, not only as those who carried through a victory of forty-
eight hours a week and shortened your hours of Inbor, I greet you for the manner
in which you fought for the forty-eight hour work, for the motives behind your fight
It was not a fight of beggars. You did not apj-'vir as beggars and merely say that
the work is too hard for you and that you must inter hours in oni»-r to ease

your life. You appealed in the name of those unfortunate ones on the other side of
the Atlantic who will have to come o*ver to this country and join your ranks.
this, I greet you. I greet you because of the fart that you are the first in all fights,
not only for your own betterment, for tho Impr f your own conditions, but

also because you are the first to help others. You were first in the relief work
for the war sufferers. There was will in your work— real will.

As a Jewish poet, I also want to greet you specially for your attitude on the

BALTIMORE

questions which are of purely a Jewish nature. I greet you and wish you to flftlMI

continuance on that road, and I call upon you: You hare done much; k»ep on doing
•till more. (Applauae.)

President HILLMAN:

from the ouulde but some of our members, to
mission to leave our trad* and represent ui In the
gamated Clothing Workers of the city and the State of New York !• represented ftp
:<ber of these members. In their legislative branches. One of them, who Is a
member In good • Landing of Local No. 3. Preaaers* Local Union of New York, has
been sent to the Board of Aldermen of New York. He is going to address the
Con rent Ion I take great pleasure In Introducing to yon Brother Vladeclc.

Address of B. Chsrney Vladeck

(Mr. Vladeck spoke In Jewish. The following is a translation:)

If It IB true, what Judge Panken said, that Socialism will be realised before nil
term will expire, then I will have to look for another party. I believe that it will
be the most uninteresting thing to have a convention of the Amalgamated after the
Socialist order of things will be realized. The most beautiful within us. the finest
within us. the noblest within us Is brought out not In contentment, but In discontent;
not in truce, but In fight The Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America would
never be what it is if it did not have to make its history through a bitter but beauti-
ful and glorious fight (applause) It In only because yon have to come in conflict
with walls that were In your way that the instinct of fight was awakened In yon. and
you proved that there is no wall where there is a way. that there is no tenon where
there Is a real desire to break the fence.

I come today as one of you, in the most humble manner, to greet yon. to con-
gratulate you upon this spirit that the Amalgamated brought into your industry and
into the Jewish labor movement.

What is the spirit of the Amalgamated? Is It a big membership? There are
unions that have bigger membership than that of the Amalgamated. Is it the big
treasury? There are unions with bigger treasuries than the Amalgamated has It
is not the membership and it is not the treasury, but it Is that soul, that
that internal bond, that psychological condition. I will say. which
mated what it is.

What Is that condition? It is the condition that makes the
he must not wait f -ganlzatlon to pull him to help him

that he is willing to volunteer at any moment the situation might demand of 1
do things. It is this spirit of the Amalgamated that made it possible for this
iation to become what It Is and to play the role that It has played.

I can tell you that In the district from which I come the
forces are the members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ap-
plause). Seventy or eighty per cent of the members of the Socialist party in
Williamsburg— Wllltamsbnrg is the best organized district of the Socialist party in
New York and has a membership of twelve hundred— at least seven hundred or eignt
hundred, are members of the Amalgamated locals. (Applause).

The most active members of the Workmen's Circle are members of the
gamatod. In every enterprise that is undertaken by the progressive labor
the executive committee, the active men. are members of the Amalgamated. We
undertook to purchase the finest building that our neighborhood has as a
temple, and I tell you now that the first in the hall. In the temple of tabor.
in under their flag, will be members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
(Applause.)

It was this spirit that made It possible, and It Is for that reason thai I
It an honor to come to you and say a few words to you on this occasion It is that
spirit that is necessary, not only for the Amalgamated, but for the entire labor
ment and for the entire

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

The trouble with the world baa been tbat while it has a great many engines it
baa proportionately still more beavy freight car« that could not be moved. Did you
ever tee the way a beavy freight train tries to pull out? The engine pulls, and one
ear strikes the other, and It stops. The engine pulls again and the cars strike each
otber again and they remain still again. And the engine continues pulllnr and pulling
and pulling until it begins to move slowly ir . vory worker and every union 1s loaded
like a heavy freight train wltb petty and little things and it has to be pulled and led
by two or thre* people who are the engines, you cannot travel very far. I r
the spirit of the Amalgamated because I know, and I know what I am talking
tbat the Amalgamated Is probably the only organization In which the members don't
feel like freight cars loaded with dead weight, but like engines that are ready at any
time to j>ull tbe train ever further and further (applause).

Brothers and friends, in our great world a horrible' tragedy is being enacted.
Something is burning, something is blazing, and heavy clouds of smoke are
from the earth. And under the earth are currents of poison. The whole world Is
shaken up in the terrible upheaval caused by the war. My friends, no matter how
tbe war will end. the world will come out diseased from this war. The world will
come out of this terrible furnace so weak and exhausted that it will be necessary
to exert all of our spiritual and physical efforts to put the world on Its feet again.

I greet you as a member of Pressers' Local 3. I greet you as a fellow man. But
more than anything else do I greet you a* a citizen of the world, as a human being.
I greet you as the representatives of a powerful and progressive organization, r
tentatives and brothers of a big, mighty body, a division of that great army which
Is now going to free the world. (Loud applause.)

Pre?Mont HILLMAN: The hour is Dotting late and we will not call upon all of
our friends who came here to greet this Convention. We will take the opportunity
to call upon tbem at the later sessions. I will at this time present to you a man who
is known to every member of our organization — one who Is, I may ?ay. the guiding
spirit of our organization, one of the officers of the organization with whom I have
bad tbe privilege of working. Delegates, you understand that our path Is not always
a rosy one, and If the officers of the organization find always the courage to go ahead,
It Is because of tbe splendid and wonderful spirit of co-operation that prevails among
us. I shall now present to you one who is always ready to supply courage and hope.
I will introduce to you the General Secretary of our organization, Brother Joseph
Schlossberg.

(Secretary Schlossberg was given an ovation, everybody rising and enthusiastically
cheering and applauding.)

General Secretary Schlosaberg's Address

Mr President and fellow delegates, Including our representatives from the Army
and Navy, and our fellow workers In the balcony:

The balcony has occupied a very distinguished position In the history of our
organization. That was the place from which we wore driven out when we cams
down to the distant Southern city of Nashville *<•• «penk for the tens of thousands of
clothing workers whose voices were choked in their own organization. Every time
we come to a convention and look at the balcony we s«» in 1t the symbol of the prog-
ress that we bave made. Friends, fellow-workers, occupy that place now. They are
fighting witb us and alongside of us. They come to greet us, not to curse us.

I greet you as the Industrial parliament of th< in our industry and as the

foundation of tbe parliament of civilization; of thp parliament through which the
people as a whole will legislate for themselves, and which will take the place of the
one through which private Interests, plutocracy, autocracy, and all other sorts of
ruling and oppressing interests in this and othpr countries, are now legislating for
themselves and against the people. We here, through this convention, issue a call
to the workers In all other industries: "Make your conventions a parliament of the
people In your industries! Make your conventions the place from which decrees
ahould go forth In the Interests of the people; make your conventions that source of
power that will constitute in this country what the Trades Union Congress at this

BALTIMORE OONVBNTION

time constitutes In England; where industrial democracy will be carried out and will
become the guiding principle, the determining principle of the people1! life."

ill be that parliament the foundations of which are laid here, that wllj
the people in the making of laws ft* themselves. The political parliame
now presume* to speak for (he people. does not represent the people.
have shown repeatedly that erery group of powerful Interests U repi
parliament. When a railroad matter is up. It Is the railroad lobbylat
destinies of this nation in that branch of our life. When a steel question la up. It !•
the steel lobbyist who doea ft-not the people.

of Industrial democracy, we mean something definite am
crete. With us it Is not an empty phrase. U Is not a dream. It Is just this thine
that we are doing now.

When we pasted the 48-hour week resolution two yean ago we legislated for the

Industry. It was then up to us to carry out that piece of legislation, and we did carry

When we legislated It. It became the law of the Industry, and wherever our

ice prevails that law la being enforced. When a political legislature adopt* an

eight hour day. It usually remains a dead letter. It is the power of organised labor

that determines what the legislation In the Industries should be or should not be.

My friends, this convention represents more than may be visible to 1
observer. It Is not only a convention representing tens of thousands of

t Is a convention representing a new society, the rUlng. the making of a
new society.

of us. with few exceptions, have come here from other parts of the world,
•' where oppression and suppression were the order of the day. We
have come here seeking an asylum, freedom, and opportunities. And when those
many thousands of immigrants from the other side of the world came here, Iporant
of the language of the country. Ignorant of Its institutions, of its cuitoma. and of
its ways, the employers whom they found here took advantage of their Ignorance
and hoiplcssnesa and imposed upon them that very system of which Presides]'.
man sp< :ng system in our industry, similar systems of

tlon in other industries.

But those downtrodden men and women, who ran away from misery and
slon In the countries of their birth only to find sweatshop slavery here, availed
selves of the opportunities accorded them by the American institutions, and literally
themselves by their own bootstraps from helplessness Into power. They made
•mselves intelligent men and women, fighting men and women, built up their
own organized power, and are now in a position to legislate for their industry, and
legislate in a spirit which spells the overthrow of capitalist exploitation. There were
hosts to h MI. and no one to help them. They fought their way through by

their own united power. They are now in a position to deliver a message to many
of their fellow workers and teach them how labor should be organised and what
labor's true mission Is.

After a short period of three and a half years— that is all the time that has
•ince we have raised the banner of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of Am
we have succeeded In the teeth of all prejudice, in the teeth of all opposition, in the
teeth of all prosecution and persecu: mere strength of our conviction, by

the mere power of our determination, in removing a great deal of the antagonism and
prejudice artificially raised against us in the ranks of organised labor, in f*»n*nsT the
confidence of many thousands of worklngmen in this country, and they begin to see
that our message Is right, that our form of organization Is right, that our "H'-fif*
goal is right.

I shall now read to you some messages that we have received. There Is one which
Is particularly interesting and inspiring. It Is a message to this Convention by Eugene
V. Debs.

(After reading a large number of letters and telegrams, which are given later,
the speaker continued.)

Now. delegates. Brother Hillman has taken the occasion, on introducing me to
you. to throw a few bouquets at me. I shall be Indiscreet enough to ask Brother

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Hlllman to yield with mo — and I know he will agree "with me — the proper share of
credit to all those who have worked with us. We are all happy to report to yon
that there haa been full co-operation all along the line among the General Officers
and Local Officers and the members generally. Otherwise our success would hare
been Impossible.

Tbe success of this organisation, the victories that we have achieved, the praise
that has been won by as from our co-workers in other industries, and in other parts
of the labor movement, are big and great enough for all of us.

Every officer and every member has contributed his and her full share to th«
co-operation, to the spirit, and to the success.

Every sneaker has referred to the present conditions, to the present particular
situation. I shall not enlarge upon that. I shall only say this: It will be the duty
of organized labor in this country to see to it that, wh»-n this war Is ovrr. th^ army
that Is now being organized by this country to particpiate In the war on the other
side of the ocean, shall not be used as a means for the establishment of militarism In
this country. We are happy to have in this particular respect, as well as in other
respects, the fall support of the President of the United States.

Many thousands of our members are either in the camps waiting to be sent to
Prance or are already there. Many more thousands will be called later, if the war
long enough. When those members return from the front the fighting spirit
conditions there will have developed in them, if any new fighting capacity is
for a member of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, will be
by them here to protect this country from that scourge which has ruined and
laid waste all of Europe within the last three and a half years.

I wish to quote, in conclusion, a few words, which are a part of a message sent
by the British labor movement to the workers of the world. In our country this
message has so far been confined only to the radical labor movement. The official
labor movement, unfortunately, has shut its door against it, and there is no means of
reaching the rank and file, except in a very limited way.

"We need to beware of patchwork," say our British brethron.

Remember that this Is a part of a program proposed by the British Labor Party
for the reconstruction of Great Britain after the war.

"We need to beware of patchwork. No bungling reforms will do. Radical
changes, revolutionary changes, are necessary. The view of the Labor Party is tiiat
what Is to be reconstructed after the war is not this or that government department,
or this or that piece of machinery, but, so far as Britain is concerned, society itself."

All we have to do Is to use the words "United States" for "Britain", and substi-
tute the word "France" for "Britain", and, for that matter, insert the name of "Ger-
many" for "Britain", and the aim of the British Labor Party will apply with the same
force to every other country. Not any part off the government has to be changed
or modified or reformed, but society Itself must be rebuilt, reconstructed.

That is the message that the British Labor Party has sent to the working classes
throughout the world. That must be the keynote, that must be the guiding spirit,
for every piece of work we undertake, so that everything we do may be in harmony
with It and may promote this great cause.

I have no doubt that our organization will contribute Its share towards this great
task. I hope that all of the delegates present here realize that what we are doing
now is not only adopting resolutions and expressing wishes for a free world, a free
society, a reconstructed society, but that we are actually reconstructing society.

At this very minute industrial democracy is being made, right here; and along
with us at every ottier convention of labor that is held In the same spirit. This we
must understand. It puts upon us a new responsibility. If we are always aware of
it. If we always bear it in mind, we shall not blunder, and shall do Just what the
Interests of the working class require.

The times are the greatest In human history. Perhaps still greater times ars
coming.

Capitalism is bankrupt as a social system. Whatever its mission in the past, it

BALTIMORE COMVBfnOlf

has now become a stumbling block to progress and a menace to tae welfare ot Us
people

Labor must now do the big Job. Not aa a blind tool in the hands of Capitalism,
heretofore the master. bt* consciously, deliberately, independently, directed by its
own Intelligence and enlightened Interests. Let us see that aa tar aa o«r section of
the labor movement is concerned; as far as we are. aa an organlialion. responsible
for conditions In the Industry, la society, for the IrtsJiajsjaal development and all elae
that goes with the making of a human being, a higher human being, that the
to deoe right, that it la done perfectly and completely.

If. when the great change eosam when at the end of the war the
menu of the world are called upon to fully carry ovt the HBUssMfaaUun of
the proletariat of the world Is prepared to apply itself to it
and understanding, the job will be done right, and will be done so that
of a free society that we will construct will stand forever. Let oa see that we do
our share,

Let us take from thla Convention the message to our constituents to go right ahead
with renewed spirit and renewed determination. The labor movement la
to understand us. It will not take long before they will all
shall then have one united labor movement In this country.

Report of Arrangements Committee

President HILLMAN: Brother Elsen of Baltimore, on Hsliltf of the

ments Committee, will make a few announcements.

Delegate KI8HN: The Baltimore members of the Amalgamated have tried
utmost to make It as comfortable for the delegates as possible, and for this
they have arranged several entertainments for the delegates during? the)
week.

This afternoon there will be automobiles ready to take all the delegates for a
trip around the city to show you Baltimore and Its vicinity (applause) I will ask all
the delegates, those who want to participate in this trip, to please give their
the committee at the door when they leave the hall. For Tuesda
arranged a mass meeting in the biggest hall In the city. In the Lyric
we will have the best speakers that we can possibly get. from amongst the
and members of the. Amalgamated. On Wednesday night a ball will be given by the
District Council No 3 of Baltimore In honor of the delegates to the Convention, at
the same pin ;\tre (applause). For Thursday afternoon we hare

nrs to Washington (applause*. I win also ask all

•> go to Washington to please give their names to the second committee. There)

•• two committees at the door. For Thursday evening, the Bohemian Local,

" ' ' -.lalffarnated Clothing Workers of America, has arranged an

invite all delegates to be present there. (Applause). Friday
the C nlon. Local US. A. C. W ' ill give a smoker for the

(applause). For Saturday evening the District Council has arranged a banquet at
the Lyric Theatre (applause).

President HILLMAN: I shall now call on Brother Crystal of the Arrangements
Committee, who will give us tho rest of the program. (Applause).

Delegate HARRY CRYSTAL: Mr. Chairman, there 1s practically nothing left for me
to an; Risen has announced the whole program for th« week. But

I want to add this: Thin afternoon's trip through the city will start out from Balti-
more and Front Streets, where the headquarters of the Amalgamated are
When yon are through with your lunch you will please come there. The
will ho waiting for you T will also announce that the Cutters' Union. Local 115 of
Baltimore, invites sll the delegates, not only men. but women too. all the

% have arranged a smoker for the men and tea cream. I suppose, for the
so we want the ladles to be there too.

President HILLMAN: Before adjourning this session I shall call on

2.1

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Meyer Senter, who It here m tne uniform of the United States Navy, to address the
Convention.

(Delegate Senter appears on the platform and Is given an enthusiastic ovation.)

Address by Meyer Senter

Mr. Chairman and Delegates:

This invitation to me to speak Is rather a surprise. I had no intention to speak
from the platform this morning. I consider myself a full-fledged delegate, and, what
is more, in the camp I hare two meals by this time and today I have only had one
meal so far (laughter).

Delegates. I don't know whether I can say very much at the present time. I
am in the service and I feel very happy at the fact that I can be present at the Con-
vention of our organization. I have tried at all times to do whatever was in my power
In order to build up a strong, powerful and successful organization. I don't know
whether I can say very much more than this: I hope, that when this war is over,
when the enemies of our nation will be completely defeated (loud applause), and
the workers will return, those who will be fortunate enough to return, the
Union will be ready to receive them, and that organized labor will make such progress
between this time and then that when the soldiers return from the front they will
come back home to find a world of freedom — freedom in the full sense of the word
(applause), industrial freedom as well as political freedom, and that they will find
a new life.

I call upon you who remain here while we are away: Go* right ahead with the
great struggle for the uplifting of mankind and for the abolition of the slavery of
today. I hope that you will be successful with your battles over here as I hope to
be with mine over there (prolonged applause).

The chair announced that the Credentials Committee was not yet ready to report
The session adjourned at 2.20 p. m. to reconvene at 10 o'clock the next morning.

MESSAGES OF GREETINGS AND CONGRATULATION READ AT THE

FIRST SESSION

Letter from Eugene V. Deba

Terre Haute, Ind., May I, 1918.
Mr. Joseph Schlossberg.

General Secretary Amalgamated Clothing Workers,
New York, N. Y.

Dear Comrade Schlossberg: —

Your communication of the 6th Inst. Is at hand and I appreciate fully your kindly
interest In wishing me present at your approaching convention in Baltimore, a privi-
lege I should enjoy more than could be expressed In words. I have the pleasure of
knowing a number of your members and hold them In high esteem as comrades, and
If circumstances permitted me to visit Baltimore at the opening of your Convention
I would certainly take advantage of the opportunity of addressing the delegates and
enjoying an hour or two of fellowship with these progressive-minded and loyal-
hearted proletarians.

Please do me the kindness to extend my hearty greetings to the Convention and
to assure the delegates that my heart will be with them during their deliberations.
The Convention meets at a crucial time and the one thing now needed to be emphasized
by this and every other convention of organized workers is the solidarity of their
class. Everything now depends upon the ability of the workers to unite their forces
and to hold them Intact during these trying days.

The principle upon which the Amalgamated Clothing Workers are organized Is
the right one and If adhered to will result 1n the Industrial unity of all the workers

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

in that trade and line them up In one solid mass not only for defensive action bat
for initiative and constructive work looking to the abolition of the slavish and degrad-
ing wage system and the ttlaH^h "»«•*• of the new Industrial order In which the
workers shall be their own masters and shall themselves enjoy in full measure the
fruit of their lat

I have watched with special pride the progress made by the •milgims*
ing Workers, for I know under what difficulties it struggled into existence,
reactionary Influences it was resisted, and what persistent, courageous and I
work has been required to keep it true to its course.

The delegates who meet in Baltimore on Monday nut will have
for congratulation as they survey the past but this will serve only as a hlgt
live to stick manfully to the task In the future and to unite, comrade to
head and heart and soul, in the resolute determination to remove every
the path and to push the organisation forward and ever forward, withot
ias reached the shining goal of its high aspiration,

Thanking you. my dear comrade, for your words of MlUlnees which toech me
deeply and with love and heartfelt greeting to yourself and all of the aslegifss and
visitors at Baltimore, I am In the cause of the workers.

Yours truly,

(Signed) EUGENE V. DB8.

Toronto. Ont. May It.

Greetings on behalf of Locals 221. 212. 216. 219. 222 and Joint Board of Toronto.
Canada We desire to convey our heartiest wishes and our joy at the sieeses of
the Amalgamated. We look forward to the future with unbounded sKhielejai and
hope this convention will attain Us purpose for greater Ideals in these momentous
timer

JACK LISTBR.
Bee*y Local 212. Toronto.

Brooklyn, N. Y., Maj 12.
Congratulations to Third Convention. Wish you success. We want 44

January First. 1919.

LOCAL 175. A. C. W. OF A, Samuel Bemoan. Sec'y.

Md . Mar

•etlngs. Hearty congratulations upon your past achievements. May the delib-
eration! of the Convention be §uch as to make our fighting organisation an Inspira-
tion to the entire organised labor movement.

LOCAL BALTIMORE. SOCIALIST PARTY.

Dr. S. M. NelsUdt. Secretary.

Atlanta. Ga.. (Army Headquarters). May 12.
May success crown third convention of the A. C. W. of A.

PRIVATE JOS. ZUCKERMAN.
of Local 161. New York.

Chicago. 111.. May 12.

Please convey to the delegates our greetings. We hope their deliberations
be of great benefit to the members at large.

MEMBERS OF LOCAL 39. A. C. W. OF A^

Factory M. Hart, Schaffner 4 Marx.

New York, N. Y.. May It.

-etlngs and slncerest congratulations to all delegates of the Third Biennial
OonYenUon and beat wishes for the attainment of unity and strength of the A C W.
of A Success In the campaign for 44 hour week.

EMPLOYEES OP SIMON GOODMAN'S SHOP.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Chicago, 111., May i:.'.

We take this opportunity to extend to you our heartiest congratulations upon
the victories your organization has met with in the past year and the firm foundation
you hare succeeded In establishing. We trust that your efforts in the future will be
as successful as in the past
WOMEN'S CIVIC AND EDUCATIONAL CLUB OF THE AMALGAMATED

CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMKUICA.

Hamilton, Ontario, May 12

Very sorry I cannot be with you this year but am sending you hearty congratu-
lations and best wishes. May everything you undertake be crowned with success.
May our beloved Amalgamated continually grow in power. Let our slogan now be
forty-four hours a week, which 1 hope will soon be established.

ISAAC SHAPIRO.

New Yorl<. N V . May 12.

Success and sincerest congratulations to all our representatives at the Third
Hionnial Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. We hope
that our future undertakings for the forty- four-hour campaign v.-tn prove a success.

THE PANTS MAKERS' UNION OF NEW Y(

63 Ludlow Street.

Boston, Mass., May 12.

We wish you good luck and success in all your undertakings.
BRANCH 27, JEWISH NATIONAL WORKERS ALLIANCE OF BOSTON.

Boston, Mass., May 13.

Greetings: Determination, -harmony in our ranks and the justice of our cause
brought such wonderful success for our organization. Proceed with your delibera-
tions in the same spirit. March on forward on the path of victory. In solid ranks
we shall follow and assist you.

BOSTON JOINT BOARD,
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.

Boston, Mass., May 13.
With best withes, from victory to victory.

LOCAL 1, A. C. W. OF A.,

J. Blume, Pres.
F. Lerman, Sec'y.

New York, N. Y., May 13.

Greetings from Children's Jacket Pressers* Union, Local Eleven, Amalgamated
Clothing Workers of America. Congratulations from all members to your Third
Biennial Convention. Heartiest wishes for success.

JACOB HORN, Secretary.

Boston, Mass., May 13.
Greetings. Regards to all delegates at the convention.

M. DANISHEFSKY, Local 25.

Baltimore, Md., May 13.
Congratulations to the Third Biennial Convention.

LOCAL NO. 170, A. C. W. OF A.

Brooklyn, N. Y., May 13.

Greetings to ail delegates to the Third Biennial Convention. Best wishes for
the future.

H. ROBERT, Secretary, Local 7.

Hamilton, Ont., May 12.
We, the members of Local 210, of Hamilton, Ontario, send our greetings to you.

UALT1MOEB

You have undertaken a BBJMsai work and attained iucc*«* We ere proud to be ai

tne banner of the A < vs . Yom AT* la* pride of the American werklnc claas.
as«ur« juu.

MARRY WIIPBl,

Md . Mtj 13

. our heartiest greetUi** and congratulations. May your deliberation*
crowned with success. for your success U the success of tne Labor Movement
world over.
TiUB WORKERS OF TUB AijgmrAM UNIFORM SHOP. A. C. W. OF A,

Now York. N. Y.f May U. 1911

Accopi beet wiahM for •uccciaful convention. Our next coal will bo tbo forty.
-h(.ur wrnk LJIL u> hooo that the meetlnc of our fourth annual oonveadoa will

four-hour wee*. Let us hope that the me«Un< of our fourth annual
be a time of peace and prosperity.

JACKET MAKERS' LOCAL 12, A. C W. OF A,

New York. N. Y , May 12. 1911.

New York Ceat Preatert* Benerolent Association sends you beat wishes and
hopes that you will succeed In conquering all your enemies. Proceed with your won-
derful work for the people In the clothing industry.

O. I3ROWN8TEIN, Financial Secretary.

Brooklyr

Greetings to all delegates of the Third Biennial Contention and wishing yom
continued success in the future.

J. WBUMAN. General Organlxer. A, C. W. of A.

Philadelphia. Pa. May 12. 1318

The Officers of Philadelphia District Council No. 2 wish success to the Tail*

Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.

ALDO CURS!.

\S. BERNSTEIN.
BENJAMIN PRANKBI*
J. BENDER,
M. EDELSTBIN.

Baltimore. Md.. May 12. ItU.

We beg to extend our heartiest support and beat wishes for your accomplish-
ments and we sincerely hope that the coming- year will be crowned with further
succeaa*

IRON KINO MILITARY WORKS.

Baltimore. Md.. Msy 12. 1918.

Congratulations to the opening of the national convention in Baltimore City from
EXAMINERS AND BUSHELMEN'S LOCAL 62. A C. W. OF *

Chicago. 111.. May 12. 1918.

Accept beat wishes that your deliberations may lead to great advancement of our
cause and organisation.

LOCAL NO. 144

Chicago. 111.. May 12. 1118.

* cept heartiest congratulations upon the achievements of the organitation dur-
ing the past years. May we march ever onward until every man and woman in In-

y is organized. Allow me to congratulate our officers upon their great
ability. Sorry I am not with you.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

New York, N. Y., May 13, 1918.

Pressers' Branch. Local 3, A. C. W. of A., wishes you success and hopes and
trusts that the convention will succeed In establishing a 44-hour w

M. PKIUANSKY, Treasurer,
L. RABCHLNSKY, Trustee.

Brooklyn, N. Y., May 13, 1918.

The Wllllamtburg Labor Lyceum Anociation greets most heartily and sincerely
the convention of the A. C. W. of A. la the strength and progress of your orgnnl-
tation lies the destiny of nearly every big undertaking of labor.

JOS. A. WHTTEHORN. Treasurer.
B. C. VLADECK, Chairman.

Brooklyn, N. Y., May 13, 1918.

To all Delegates of the A. C. W. of A.: Greetings! I bid you welcome from th«
depth of my heart May your work be crowned with success and may our next step
be the establishment of the 44-hour week. Long live the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers of America.

S. LEVY, Recording Secretary, Local 213.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Second Session.

Tuesday Morning, May 14, 1118.

The Convention WM called to order at 10 a. m.. Tuesday. May Hih.
Hlllman presiding. Secretary Scbtoeaberg read the following tilitflMii.

Now York. N. Y.. May IS. Itlfl.

Heartleat congratulations, best wlihes and success to the Amalgamated Cloth-
ing workers lea from the Civilian Clothing Cutters of Munvea *

716 Broadway. New Y< >

JACOH I!

New York. N. Y.. May 13. It IS.
To the Officers and Delegates of the Third Biennial Convention:

Accept our hoar' .-ratulatlon and may your work be crowned with MCC

OVERALL WORKERS' UNION, LOCAL 178. AC W. n

M Hubinsky, PrssjMSjBf*
V-T.VI. .- r-'.arjr.

New York. N. Y.. May 13. 1*1S.

In the name of the fifteen thousand members of oar military unifor
ment we extend heartiest congratulations to the Third Biennial Convention
that our organization, with the aid of the entire progressive labor mo
help bring about a world peace and true democracy.

MILITARY IMFOHM COMMITTEE. A. C. W. OF JL.

Jos, Margone. Manager.

Chicago, ill.. May 13. !»!§.

Tho Dally World of Chicago greets you and pledges itself to co-operate with
you in all your work in the interest of the clothing ind May all yo«r

eratlons be successful.

MORRIS SU8SKIND. Manager Daily World.

New York. N. Y.. May 13. lilt.
Greetings and best wishes for a 44-hour week.

SCHWARTZ & JAFFEE SHOP. 28 Bleecker SL,
Morris Moskowltx.

New York N Y. M.. U mg.

To th*» Officers and Delegates: Greetings! The Third Convention in the history
of our organization marks Its wonderful progress. Wishes for IU continued sinruM
Long live the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of Am.

RAE BLUTT.
DENNIS II ISAACSON.
V SHAVIRO

New York. N. Y. May 1$. Itlf.

Cr^tinc* W*. th? workers of Schwarts £ Jaffee. extend our jieeHiji to the
1 Biennial Convention and pledge our full fledged, unrestricted cooperatio
loyalty and trwt

HERMAN HERKUB. Chairman.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

New York. N. T., May 13, 1918.

Congratulations to the 3rd convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
of America, from the employees of Rugoff & Co., 85 Canal St., New York City.

SAM PALULO, Chairman.

New York, N. Y., May 13, 1918.

Heartiest greetings. May your efforts be spent in directing the cause of our
organization to travel on the road which leads to the emancipation of the tailors in
particular and toller* in general.

EMPLOYEES OF WITTY BROS.. NEW YORK,

L. Goldstein,
I. Rappaport,
Roinlsh, Committee.

New York. N. Y., May 13, 1918.

I extend to you my heartiest congratulations and earnest wishes that your delib-
eration in behalf of the great clothing Industry may be crowned with success and tht
results of your efforts be of mutual benefit to all concerned and to our glorious
country.

JOSEPH S. MARCUS, President the Bank of United States.

New York, N. Y., May 13, 1918.

Accept the hearty congratulations of one who is proud of being an officer of the
Amalgamated which has known success In no short a time as the four years of Its lift.

ISRAEL ALLEY.

Philadelphia, Pa., May 13, 1918.

Local 153 Shirtmakers' Union of Philadelphia send greetings to the Third Bien-
nial Convention. Remember that the eyes of all the workers in the needle industry
are centered upon your convention. Make good as in previous conventions, and go
on with the good work for better conditions. We hope that in this convention you
will nail the banner of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America over on*
grand industrial union comprising the whole needle industry

W. K. LINMAN,
B. KREMAN.

Philadelphia, Pa., May 13, 1918.

The Philadelphia uniform department of the A. C. W. of A. and the Cloak and
Skin Makers' Union are extending to you and the delegates to the Third Biennial
Convention their heartiest congratulations. We hope that the present convention will
on the pedestal of the splendid past outline the work for the future and energetically
carry it to a successful issue.

B. KARP,

L. HOLLANDER.

Brooklyn, N. Y., May 13, 1918.
We send you our best wishes and congratulations.

MEMBERS OF LOCAL 213.

Chicago, 111., May 13, 1918.

Third Biennial Convention, A. C. W. of A.: Greetings: Accept our best wishes
and felicitations. May your efforts and deliberations be crowned with success. The
Operators' Branch, Loral 156, extends Its greetings to the Third Biennial Convention
of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America and best wishes for a successful
campaign for the 44-hour working week.

OPERATORS, LOCAL 156. A. C. W. OF A.,
A. M. Winner, Secretary,

Montreal, Quebec, May 13, 1918.
Hearty congratulations to our Third Convention. We are proud of the achieve-

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

ment of the Amalgamated in the past. Let the work of the future aland out at a
shining example to ail organized labor.

K8E. Secretary Montreal Joint Board. A. C W o'

New York. N. Y.. May 13. 1918.

our heartiest congratulation*. May your deliberation result in a forty-
four hour week. The Children'! Clothing Trades will lend their efforts to be the
vanguard in bringing this happy result to realization. Fraternally your*.

JOINT BOARD CHILDREN'S CLOTH

••rs and Trimmers' Local 116 extend their hearty greetings to our
Wishing you success In all your undertaking.

A. PAYDTTE and L. MORRIS. Secretary.

Chicago. Ill . May IS. 1918.

Third HIennlal Convention. A. C. W. of A.: Greetings! Accept our
and felicitations. May your efforts and deliberations be crowned with
that you may add laurels to our past accomplishments. May there be a
the laboring msstes will follow the path that has been paved by you.

VB8T MAKERS' LOCAL 1S2. A. C. W. OP
Joseph G lick man.

Boston. Msts.. May IS. 1918.

May this meeting be the Inspiration for renewed and fruitful activity.

-TON VEST MAKERS' UNION. LOCAL

York. N Y . May IS. 1*18.

The employes of Dauman send their hearty greetings to the Third Biennial OoaV
ventlon of the A. C. W. of A. and wish you success in every enterprise,

i.KRNKR. Chairman

N>w York. N T May IS. 111*.

Heartiest congratulations to the 3rd annual convention of the Amalgamated Clotav
ing Workers of America. May success crown your efforts. Our boys are with you
one and all.

THE CUTTERS OP CHAS. I'

Chicago. HI . May IS. 1918.

The United Hebrew Trades of Chicago, the body representing the organized Jew-
lab laborers, send heartiest greetings to your Third Biennial Convention. We ar
you in your noble struggles not only for a living but for a decent living. We bleas
you. gigantic child of labor.

R YOUKELSON. President,

New York. N. Y.. May IS. 1918.

Heartiest congratulation?. May your deliberations result in a forty eight -how
wok and the ultimate emancipation of the working class. Sorry cannot be
but my heart and soul are with you. Fraternally.

ISIDOR KANTROWITZ.

Brooklyn. N. Y.. May IS. 1918.

The Buttonhole Makers' Union. Local 245 of Brooklyn extend heartiest
tions and best wishes for a successful convention. We hope that your
will bring us more economic advantages and also the establishment of the 1 1 BOW
BUTTONHOLE MAF. • MON. LOCAL 245. A. C. W. OP

B. RABINOW1TZ.

Chicago. 111. Mar IS. 1918
May the accomplishment of your efforts, our representatives, be such that through

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

we shall real lie our aspiration for the building of our ideal industrial democracy.
AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA, LOCAL 39.

Chicago, 111., May 13, 1918.

Campaign initiated. Employers trying to suppress our movement by cauaing dis-
tributors of pamphlets to be persecuted. Aggression not diminishing our enthusiasm.
1 fonee third convention affirm eight-hour day.

HMILIO GRANDINETTI.

Brooklyn, N. Y., May 13, 1918.

We, the workers of Milton Simpson & Co., 2041 Pitkln Avenue, send our best wishes
and congratulation*

NERENBERG, Chairman.

New York, N. Y., May 13, 1918.

Greetings. With pride do I extend the greetings of the New York Joint Board
to the Third Biennial Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,
at whose past achievements for the clothing \\orkers whom you represent we look
upon with much glory. We hope that this convention will continue to enlighten the
labor movement upon the path of human emancipation until we reach the goal of true
democracy and equality for all those who labor and produce. With best wishes for a
•uoceuful convention.

M. BLUMENREICH, Secretary Board of Directors,

New York Joint Board, A. C. W. of A.

President HJLLMAN: Is the Credential Committee ready to report?

(The Chairman of the Credential Committee read his report. At the conclusion
of hit report, Assistant Secretary Potofsky named the following delegates as those
who were recommended to be seated with a voice and vote at the Convention.)

1, Boston, Mass.— Jack Blume, Frank Lerman, Jos. Pennini, Samuel Zorn.

2 New York City. — David Goldstein, Joseph Goodman, Isaac Levlnaon, Morris Rappa-

port, Harry Schepps, Nathan Slegel, Max Schultz.
5, New York City.— Alex Cohen, Morris Goldin, L. Nirenberg, L. Rerayle, S.

Weinstein.

4, New York City. — Abr. Beckerman, J. P. Friedman, Harry Jacobson, Meyer Sentar.
I. Chicago, 111. — Stephan Skala.

7. Brooklyn, N. Y. — Isador Axelrod, Louis Berger.

8. New York City.— Hyman Goldoft, Abr. Miller. D. Nirenberg, Nathan Sosnlck,

David Weiss.

9. New York City. — Abraham Silverman, Louis Feinberg.

10, New York City.— Louis Adler, Sam Katz, Philip Waldman.

11, New York City.— Sam Leder.

12, New York City.— Bennie Horowitz, Jacob Gutterman, Saul Rlger, Sam Scheir.

15, Baltimore. — Aaron Feldman.

16, New York City.— Morris Goldstein, M. Nitzberg, Samuel Stein, Louis Zuckerman.
It, New York City,— Max Yudelowitz.

24, Newark, N. J.— Eugene BuccI, Philip Berkowiti.

30, Brooklyn, N. Y.— Julius Powers.

31, Baltimore. Md.— Bonnie Bernstein, Harry Crystal, Sarah Katzen, Morris Zafran.
S8, Chicago. — Victor Wybraniec.

XI, Chicago — Bennie Brandzal, A. N. Fisher, David Goldberg, Rubin Morse, Mary

Resbeck, Tom Uzarskl.

40, New York City. — Jos. Newman, Hyman Novodvor, Bernard Weiss.

43, New York City.— David Isaacs, Louis Schaplro, Jacob Yelowlts.

51, Baltimore.— Philip De Luca, Ulisse De Dominicis.

K2, Baltimore. — Frank Dvorak.

64, Brooklyn.N. Y.— Frank Vaitukaitis, John Zubauca.

It New York City.— Harry Bender.

18, Brooklyn, N. Y.— Wm. Cernowsky.

19, Baltimore. — Bennie Hurowlti.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Chicago.— Samuel Oeier. Jacob Kroll. Frank P*rtek
63. New York city.— Paul Arnone. Frank Bellanca. Dominick Di Nardo.

Romano. Gabriel Vastano.
69. Baltimore.— Frank J. Bar
72. Brooklyn. N. Y —Joseph Cohen,
idelphia.— Harry Goldstsdm.

85. Brooklyn. N. Y— Frank Marrone. Louis Mairola
Brooklyn. N. Y.— Tbeo. Pilger.
Cleveland.— Victor Foreman.
114. Baltimore.— Harry Elsen. Louis Lederman. Max Prossinsn. Morris Slrkln.

116. Montreal A. Wrlls.

117. Baltimore.— Harry Nelstadt. Max Roslnsky

188! Philadelphia.' Pa.— Jobn Bender.
189.

140. Philadelphia^-*. Lerner
Ml. rhlladelpbla— Hyman Greenberg.
142. Brooklyn. N. Y.— Harry Taylor,
iladelphie, Pa.-Isaac Kesaler.

Chicago. Ill —Jacob 8. Pot of sky. Morris Rabinowlti.

Boston.— John Palalma,
150. Boston.— Thomas Mot

162. Chicago. — Samuel Diamond. Joseph Goldmsn.
Mladelphla, Pa.— Leah Gaibln

166. New York City.— Morris Adlnskr. Chas. Bnglander. Jos. Gold.

Jacob Pollack.

167. New York city— -Morris Gunt. Emma Shapiro.

158. New York City.— Harry N Greenberg.

159. Brooklyn. — Harry Rubin.

161. New York City.— BenJ. Indyke.
165. Brooklyn. N. Y.— Sam Hassner.
167. Montreal.— Max Kes.v

169. New York. — Louis Posner.

170. Baltimore. — Msmie Santorn. alternate for Dorothy Jacobs
Boston.— David Oilman.

172. Boston.— Leon Lebovltz.

Boston.— Nathan Biller. David Goldstein.

174. Worcester.— Harry 8t '

175. Brooklyn. — J. Blume. Simon Haas. J. Zuckennan.

176. Brooklyn.— Frank Caneellleri.
178. New York —Abraham Kronick.

186, New York.— Hyman Mitnitsky. Harris Yanofsky.

207, Woodbine. N. J.— M. Gin.

209. Montreal.— Frank Wl

218. Brooklyn. N. Y — Sol Friedman, H. Heller.

i'l4. Brooklyn. N. Y,— Harry Kalushkin.

Brooklyn. N. Y.— Max Alexander. Jack Perlman.

218. Baltimore.— John J. Denkevks,

280. Baltimore.— John Drasel

Baltimore.— Samuel Basstn. Abraham Sykes

244. New York City.— B. Goldsholl.

247. Baltimore.— Morris Fisher.

248. New York.— Max Steinberg. Sam Drabkin

249. Philadelphia.— Sam <

259. Brooklyn. N. Y.— Louis Brodsky. B Jackson.

262. Brooklyn. N >rv Dotio. Peter Monat. David Wolf. Jacob J. Y<

269. Chicago.— Peter Galfkls
77. Montreal.— Ellas Rabkln.

280. New York.— Thomas Frlsa, Lorento De Maria.
Joint Board of Rochester— Jacob J. Levin.
Joint Board of Boston— Laxarus Marcovitx
Joint Board of Chicago— Hyman Isovtta,
Neir York Joint Board— Wm. Drubin

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Children's Clothing Trades Joint Board, New York— Harry Cohen.

Joint Board of Toronto— Jas. Blugerman.

Philadelphia District Coun —Nathan Bunin.

Baltimore District Council No. 3.— Hyman Blumberg.

Fraternal Delegate— Jos. P. Barry, Boston Clothing Cutters and Trimmers' Union.

As there was no objection, these delegates were declared seated as delegates to
the Convention, and so ordered

Brother Tttafsky then made an additional report for the Credential Committee
as follows:

"Your Committee on Credentials, elected at the first session, beg leave to report
that we have examined all credentials submitted by the delegates. In accordance
with the constitution the committee ruled that each delegate must be a member of
the Local Union he or she was elected to represent, and, therefore, recommends that
Brother Thomas Morelll, who is a member of Local 1, Boston, and an elected delegate
of the Boston Overall Workers, Local 150, shall have a voice but no vote."

Delegate Zorn suggested that Delegate Morelll be seated with a vote inasmuch as
Local 150 is a new local and did not know of this particular clause of the constitution.
and that if they were not allowed a vote it would create a bad Impression among the
members of the local.

Delegate Goodman stated as follows:

We act in accordance with the constitution and we know that no member can
represent a Local Union of which he is not a member. Therefore we think that this
cannot be decided by the Convention because the membership voted on the constitu-
tion. The Convention cannot overrule the membership.

President HILLMAN: The call for the Convention sent out by the General
Secretary from the General Office had the clause of the constitution inserted. The
clause of the constitution reads: "Delegates shall be elected at a special meeting
of the local union by ballot not later than March 31st preceding the Convention, and
a plurality vote shall constitute an election. No person shall be eligible to election
as a delegate unless he is a member of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of Amer-
ica who shall have been a member in good standing of the local union he represents
at least one year immediately preceding the day on which said election Is held."

Delegate ZORN: This does not specify that he must be a member of that local.

President HILLMAN: I am reading to you that which was passed by the Web-
ster Hall Convention. I have no objection if the Convention wishes to use a technical
excuse for violating the constitution. I believe it would be a very unfortunate step
to establish such precedents. We have laws so that they may be enforced, no matter
who may be affected. The report of the Committee on Credentials is that Delegate
Morelll should be seated with a voice but without a vote. The vote is on the question.

The recommendation of the Committee was unanimously adopted.

Delegate Potofsky then read the following:

"The committee is of the opinion that no one delegate may represent more than
one Local Union, and therefore recommends that the delegate sent from Locals 244
and 245 of New York may represent Local 244 only, of which local he is a member;
likewise the Locals 249 and 281, Philadelphia. The committee recommends that
Brother Goldscholl represent Local 244, and Brother Flicker be seated as a delegate
from Local 249. of which he is a member."

Delegate Levine of Rochester opposed the recommendation, because it takes
away the risht of on* local to be represented He stated that inasmuch as the
delegate has only one vote, to take away from him the right to represent one of the
locals would be unfair. He said that this was particularly true of Rochester where
one delegate represents four locals.

Delegate ALEX. COHEN (of New York): I don't see the reason why that should
be recommended by the Credential Committee. I understand that a man can talk
In the name of two or three or four local unions. I don't see how the Convention is
going to produce anything in any way by preventing a delegate from speaking on be-
half of three or four local unions instead of one. I understand the reason, why a
man cannot be elected as a delegate from another local union to represent his local,
but when three or four local unions send one representative I don't see why this

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Convention should have any objections, and therefore 1 feel that there is no
for concurring with the recommendation of the Credential Committee in this

Delegate GOODMAN (of the Credential Committee): I wish to say that the
Credential Committee decided In that manner because we do not wish to permit one
delegate to represent a whole town. We do not want to establish a priniisnt
Later on we may have a whole city sending one delegate, and we want every local
union to have Its own representation, and not have one delegate represent an entire
town.

Delegate JACKSON (Local 259): If a local is poor and has no money to send
n delegate, have they not a right to combine with another local and jointly send

fill % fl»«I « aft f ** ^

Presidt MAN: Thnt the Convention will decided this morning I cannot.

Delegate ALEX COHEN (Local 3): I want to be Informed whether, by letting
oo« delegate represent two local unions. It will mean that be will have two votes?

President HILLMAN: No. It would not. It would simply mean that local unions
may combine to send a delegate. I wish to say that the delegates may take Into con-
sideration thnt It may work a great hardship on some of our local organisations. We
have organisations in small towns that are not sufficiently strong to finance their
own representatives, and so two or three local unions will have one business agent
as their representative. By Isying down a law against It we may simply deprive
those local unions from being seated at future conventions. While this
may be seated here now. you realise that the local unions will not pay his
In the future if he will not represent them. It would be wrong for a la
onion to send proxies, but it may work a *rav.* 'njusttce to the smaller unions if yon
will deprive them of the opportunity to «en<1 joint delegates. (Applause).

ve motion was then placed before the house. The vote was 33 In favor of

accepting the Committee's report, and 59 opposed).

President m I LMAN We will now vote on the motion that the delegates be
seated as representing two local unions each.
(This was unanimously carried.)
(Applause).

Pr. n. LMAN: The chair wishes to announce that this action of the

Convention, as I understand it. applies only to local unions that are financially
to send representatives. It is not the sense of this Convention that joint
be permitted In the case of local unions financially able to send separate

(Delegate Potofaky then continued reading his report )

In the case of Local 24. Newark, which tent in two delegates while this local
is only entitled to one. lacking only three members to be entitled to two. The Com-
mittee recommends that both delegates be seated with one vote, a half vote for
delegate.

Delegate EHSEN: There are two delegates and If you seat the two .
and give them only one vote, suppose the delegates disagree on a question, how will

that vote?

President HILLMAN: Each will have half a vote.

Delegate BHSEN: I would much rather see that the one delegate that received

the largest number of votes from the local union should be

Delegate COHEN: I move that the recommendation of the Credential

be accepted.

The recommendation of the Committee was carried.

The full report was accepted as amended In the one) case above mentioned.

President HILLMAN: I shall ask the delegates to hand in their resolutions.
While we are taking up some of our time with the Assistant Secretary receiving
the resolutions I wish to announce that we will have the pleasure of listening this
oon to the Chairman of the Board of Standards of the United States Govern-
ment. Professor Ripley (applause). Professor Ripley was made chairman of that

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Board when Mr. Louis Klrsteln resigned. He will address the Convention at three
o'clock.

I am sure that the delegates will be glad to hear now from one of our friends
who Is with us and haa always been with us. I understand that lie was also at the
conrention from which I was unfortunate enough to be absent, the convention in
Naahvllle. I take pleasure in introducing to you Comrade H. Rogoff. (Prolonged

Address of Harry Rogoff

I am very sorry that Mr. Cahan, the editor of the Forward, has not been able to
come to address you aa he intended. He haa not been feeling well and is unable to
come. The greetings of the Forward to the delegates of the Amalgamated don't
hare to be rendered In person by anybody. I think that the delegates to this Con-
vention who are able to read the Forward know enough about the feelings of the
Forward for this organization. It has been an Amalgamated newspaper — an Amal-
gamated organ ever since this organization has been started, and probably many
months or years before, in spirit. The Forward is certainly over happy to see this
result of Its agitation, to find that all its predictions and all its hopes have been more
than realized with regard to the Amalgamated organization. There Is no special
message that the Forward and myself, as its represntatlve, at this moment can bring
to you.

I heard many addresses yesterday. Many of the delegates, or many of the
men who spoke to you, made all kinds of predictions about war times, after th«
war et cetera. I am unable to say anything about the future. But I should like
to say one thing about the present that was said yesterday by Comrade Shlplacoff.
I certainly endorse his sentiment on one particular point, that this Convention con-
fine itself to the business of the Convention, to the business of the Amalgamated,
to the problems that confront your organization, and try to keep out from the other
problems that may involve you in controversies and in disagreements in the organi-
zation. If there Is anything that I wish to impress upon your minds It is this. And
I am sure that in this respect I voice the sentiment of all the people who stand At
the head of the Jewish Daily Forward. I thank you. (Applause.)

President HILLMAN: I am asked to introduce a representative of the Los
Angeles Sanatorium, Mr. F. Flanzer, who will address the Convention for a few minutes.

Mr. Flanzer congratulated the Amalgamated upon its progress and concluded in an
to the Amalgamated for help as follows: I have been traveling for the last
three years for the Los Angeles Sanatorium, which is recognized as a radical institu-
tion. Wherever I come, in every city of the United States, it always happens that
some one asks me who is back of it, because they understand there must be some big
man back of the institution. They cannot make It out that it is possible for any In-
stitution to be carried on without any particular one backing it up, but all of the
people should be In back of It. So I hope and trust that the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers at this Convention will give sufficient support to this institution so that I
shall be able to tell those who ask me that the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
America is in back of it. (Applause). I hope your Resolutions Committee will
recommend proper action. I thank you for all you have already done. (Applause).

President HILLMAN: I wish to announce that tomorrow at ten o'clock sharp
Congressman London will address the Convention (applause). I shall ask the dele-
gates to be on time as Congressman London has to go back to Washington imme-
diately on account of some bills that are coming up. I understand that the Com-
mittee on Credentials wishes to make a further report.

Delegate POTOFSKY: The chairman of the Credentials Committee requested me
to announce that this credential was presented this morning and was voted upon
favorably by the Credential Committee, Brother Harry Goldstein of Local 75 of
Philadelphia.

The report was unanimously accepted.

President HILLMAN: I am sure that the delegates would like to listen to one
who is from our own ranks, a member of our New York Cutters' organization, a

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

member of its Executive Board, a member of the Board of M<tr»ea of New York,
Brother Abraham Beekerman (Applause).

' - ' -«*\ • • • *

* Address of Delegate Beckerman

AM BBCKERJCAN: Brother Chairman and Brothers: I

to say that I did not expect to bo called upon to make any special

don't happen to be a sort of invited alderman or invited guest, bat happen to be a duly.

regularly elected delegate to this Convention. (Applause).

Mr. 8HIPLACOFF: We will shut you up for the real of the CnsjfsjrtlaB. (Laughter)

Delegate DECKER MAN: Over my dead body. (Laughter) I want to aay that It
id unfurl unate that on thia platform, at thia particular time. 1 am being aided alone
by oommenta from Aaaemblymen. from Judge* and from other eelebrftiea. I want
to aay. brothers, deapite the fact that I did not expect to be called upon. 1 am very
happy to be given this opportunity to get a few things off my heart, or a few thing*
that were very near to my heart. 1* was a delegate to the convention two years ago
•cheater, and. from the general appearance of the present Convention, I think
that we are going to live up to the fine convention that we had there, and I
that in the next two years we will make such progress aa we
convention.

The world has moved since two years ago In Rochester. The world has
considerably And that particular part of the world, known as the
Clothing Workers of America has in no sense lagged behind the rest of the world.
The great struggle, which must some day come to an end. will probably bring about
a new relationship of the working class in this world. There 1« no doubt that
the war is over the working class everywhere will be a good deal more
than it was before we began. And it is our duty, it is the duty of our
to set a pace In this country and show the light for the labor movement in
Over in Europe a few months ago there was a convention of organised labor of the
Entente conutries: England. France and the other allied countries. A fine pro-
gram for reconstruction was drawn up at that conference of Inter-allied labor.

Unfortunately American labor was not represented there. And it was not repre
seated because In this country we are cursed with the most reactionary labor
ment in the world. (Applause). It is our duty, as the leading labor
America: it is our duty, for we opened the path three years ago and
emancipated ourselves from an autocratic officialdom, to set the pace in
and see that the American labor movement works in conjunction with the
movements of England. Prance. Italy and elsewhere (applause), and see that we
take an active part in the process of reconstruction after the war

What is It that we have to do? We have got to make progress in our
tion. We have got to strengthen our organization in the future as we
In the past. But we have got to do something besides that. We have got to
the spirit of the working class outside of our movement so that they may keep
with our movement and together we may put an ideal and spirit into the
labor movement to match the labor movement elsewhere so that together we
emancipate ourselves universal:

That Is the program of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
now on. Work with them, strengthen ourselves as an organisation, and put
into the rest of the labor movement of America so that we ma]
towards the work of world-wide emancipation of the working

;I.I.M \.\ in the Committee on Rules ready to repo

Report of Committee on Rules

legate BLUMBERQ of Baltimore. Chairman of the Committee on Rules, reported
aa follows:

The Committee recommends that this Convention meet dally In two sessions:
the sessions shall be held from 9 a. m. until 12. and from 2 until C. Every delegate

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

can speak on a resolution or motion before the house once. No speaker shall be
allowed more than five minutes. The chairman of the Committee may have ten
minutes to close the debate. The Convention shall be guided by Roberts' Rules
of Order.

Now there may be questions coming up of vital importance to the Convention.
Then it will be up to the Convention as a whole to extend the limit of debate on
any important question, but these are the rules as we recommend them to the Con-
vention. There will be further recommendations in the afternoon session as to
resolutions.

President HILLMAN I shall now ank the chairman of the Committee to read
each rule separately and the Convention will then vote on them.

Delegate BLUMBERG: This Convention is to meet daily in two sessions.

(There was no objection )

"The sessions shall be from 9 to 12 and from 2 p. m. to 6."

(Delegate ZORN of Boston offered an amendment that they meet from 9:30 to
12:30 in the morning.)

(This was seconded by Delegate Gold of Local 156 of New York.)

(The amendment was carried.)

(Delegate Blumberg continued reading as follows): 'The afternoon session shall
meet from 2 p. m. to 6 p. m."

Delegate GALOWITZ amended that "we meet from 2 to 6 p. m."

Delegate BLUMBERG: It will be impossible for us to hold any night sessions
in this hall, and It might be necessary during the last days of this Convention to
meet until 7 o'clock. We can use this hall until 7, and if we decide to meet only
nntil 5 it will be Impossible to get through. I don't believe it is a hardship to ask
the delegates to sit until six.

(The motion was carried that the sessions close at 6 p. m.).

Delegate BLUMBERG: Every delegate can speak on a motion or resolution once.

((There was no objection).

No speaker shall be allowed to apeak more than five minutes.

(There was no objection).

Delegate ALEX COHEN: Does that preclude giving any members a special
privilege?

Delegate BLUMBERG: No, the Convention may grant special privileges.
Delegate BLUMBERG (continues reading): The Chairman shall have ten min-
utes to close the debate.

(There was no objection).

Delegate BLUMBERG: The Convention shall be guided by Roberts' Rules of
Order.

(There was no objection).

If there Is no objection on the part of my committeemen I should recommend that
all the resolutions be in by tomorrow at 12:30.

(There was no objection).

After 12:30 no resolutions will be accepted.

President HTLLMAN: Unless there is the unanimous consent of the Convention.

(There was no objection).

President HILLMAN: That means that you will have time until 12:30 tomorrow,
at the latest, to hand in your resolutions. The Chair will announce the appointment of
the following Committees, subject to the approval of the Convention:

The Convention Committee

Assistant General Secretary — Jacob S. Potofsky.
Sergeant-at-Arm* — Lorenzo De Maria, Local 280, New York.

Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms— Saul Rieger, Local 12, New York; I. J. Strlzover,
Local 120, Louisville, Ky.; L. Lederman, Local 114, Baltimore.

BALTIMORE CONVBNTION'

PreM Committee: Ira W. Bird. Axortate Editor of "Advance." chairman; Harry
Cry*tal, Local 36, Baltimore; Prank Bollnnca. Local 63. New York.

Miscellaneous— Wm. Drubln. chairman. N'ew York Joint Board. New York; Joa

Pennlnl. Local 1. Boston; Harris Heller. Local 213. New York; Prank Bartoa*. Local 6».

Baltimore; Mamie Santera. Local 170. Baltimore; Harry Rubin. Local 159. Brooklyn.

; Bernard Wela*. Local 40. N«- Sam Leder. Local 11. New York; Darld

Oilman. Local 171. Boaton.

Report of Officer*— Jacob Kroll. chairman. Local 61. Chicago; Morris Ooldin.
Local 8. New Yurk; Char Knglander. Local 166. New York; J. P. Friedman. Local 4.
New York; Sam Stelner. Local 16. New York; Hyman Goldoft. Local 8. New York;
B. Romano. Local 68. New York; Prank White. Local 109. Montreal; John

Reaohition Committee— Harry Cohen, chairman; J. B. Children's Clothing
New . ter Monat. Local 262. New York; Paul Arnone. Local 68. New York;

Nathan Siegel. Local 2. New York; Harry Bender. Local 65. New York; Hyman
Isovits. Joint Board of Chicago; Leon Lebovltz. Local 172. Boston; Sam Baeain,
Local 241. Baltimore; Leah Galbin. Local 163. Philadelphia.

Organization Committee— Alex Cohen, chairman. Local 3. New York; Joa. Good-
man. Local 2. New York; Louis Pelnberg. Local 9. New York; Simon Haas, Local 176.
New York; Louis Scbapiro, Local 43. Brooklyn. N. Y ; Peter Galskls. Local Ml. Chicago;
I. Kessler. Local 143. Philadelphia; Sam Drabkln. Local 248. New York; Philip
DeLuca. Local 51. Baltimore.

Committee on Law— David Wolf, chairman. Local 262. New York; Abraham Mfltar.
Local 8. New ienry Dozzo. Local 262. New York; Julius Powers. Local 80.

Brooklyn; Louis Zuckerman, Local 16. New York; Meyer Senter. Local 4. New York;
Morris Rappaport. Local 2, New York; Sam Diamond. Local 162. Chicago; Nathan
Blller. Local 173. Boston.

Appeals and Grievance* — Jas. Blugerman, chairman. Joint Board of Toronto; Harry
Nlestadt, Local 117. Baltimore; Louis Posner. Local 169. New York; I. Axelrad. Local
7. Brooklyn; A. N. Fisher. Local 39. Chicago; Eugene Bucci. Local 24. Newark; 8.
Welnstein. Local 3. New York; B. Horowitz. Local 12. New York; Sam Kau. Local 10.
New York.

Committee on Rules — Hyman Blumberg. chairman. District Council No. 3. Balti-
more; Samuel Geler. Local 61. Chicago; Prank Marrone, Local 85. New York City.

Labels— Gabriel Vastano. chairman. Local 63. New York; John Drasel. Local 280.
Baltimore; Max Yudelovitz. Local 19. New York; Prank Cancellleri. Local 176.

Wybraniec, Local 38. Chicago; H. Kalushkin. Local 214. Brooklyn^
Alexander. Local 215. Brooklyn; Morris Rablnowlu. Local 144. Chicago; Morris
Local 36. Baltimore.

As there was no objection by the Convention to any of the delegates)
Committees remained as announced by the Chairman.

Order of Business

Prealdent HILLMAN: I wish to state to the delegate* that we have tried to have
every city and every locality represented In the different committee*) so that they
may get the proper hearing at the Committee. Unfortunately we have not yet got
sufficient committee* to place all the delegate* on them, to some had to be left out
I hope that those who were left out of the committee* will take it in the right spirit

Prealdent Hillman then read the Order of Business of the- Convention as follow*:

1. Call to order by General

2. Report of Credential Committee.

Call.

5. Reading of Minute*.
4 Report of Officers,

6. Appointment of following

Officers. Appeals and Grievances. Organisation. Label and

7. Reports of
8.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

I. New Business.

10. Nomination of Officers.

11. Selection of place for next convention.

12. Adjournment.

•sldont HILLMAN: The report of the officers will be presented to this Con-
renilon at the morning session Wednesday morning. Is there any objection to the
order of business as read?
(There was no objection.)

This will be order of business for the Convention.

(Delegate Potofoky was about to read resolutions, which had been submitted to
him. when Delegate Cohen suggested that the resolutions be referred to the various
and that when they report they read them to the Convention 10 as to
the time of the Convention, and made a motion to that effect. It was seconded.)

President HILLMAN: All I ask is, If you accept it, that you don't complain
afterwards. As a rule we find that if a resolution is not read, claims are made that
resolutions were handed in that were never handed in. If your motion prevails,
Delegate Cohen, it means that all resolutions will be referred to the presiding officer
without presenting them to the Convention, and the Chairman of the Committee will
read them only when he reports on them.

After a heated discussion the Convention voted that the resolutions be read to
the Convention at this time. Delegate Rosenblum thereupon read the following reso-
lutions which had thus far been submitted and they were referred seriatim by the
Chairman to the respective committees dealing with each particular resolution:

Resolutions

Resolution No. 1 — Local 61, Baltimore, on 44-hour week. Referred to Committee
on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 2 — Local 14, Rochester, on organization campaign. Referred to
Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 3 — Local 14, Baltimore, on co-operative movement. Referred to
Committee on Miscellaneous.

Resolution No. 4 — Locals 16, 186, 282, New York, on 44-hour week. Referred to
Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 5 — Local 39, Chicago, on promotion of labor literature. Referred
to Committee on Miscellaneous.

Resolution No. ft— Local 63, New York, on wage increase on equal basis. Re-
ferred to Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 7 — Local 63, New York, on high cost of living and co-operative
stores. Referred to Committee on Miscellaneous.

Resolution No. 8 — Local 63, New York, on program of inter-allied conference.
Referred to Committee on Report of Officers.

Resolution No. 9 — Local 63, New York, on tenement-house work. Referred to
Commute on Organization.

Resolution No. 10 — Local 63, New York, on minimum wage, week-work standard
and educational campaign. Referred to Committee on Law.

Resolution No. 11 — Local 63, New York, on 44-hour week. Referred to Committee
on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 12— Local 63, New York, on printing of constitution in all lan-
guages. Referred to Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 13 — Local 63, New York, on amendment to constitution, two-
thirds majority of voting. Referred to Committee on Law.

Resolution No. 14— Local 63, New York, on district form of organization. Re-
ferred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 1&— Local 15, New York, on needle trades department. Referred
to Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 18 — Local 63, New York, on women's department Referred to
Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 17— Local 247, Baltimore, as to organizing of pressers. Referred to
Committee on Law.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Resolution No IS-Cblidren'i Cloibtns; Joint Board. New York Ctty. on 44 hour
week. Referred to Committee on naeoimkmi,

Resolution No Ifr— Local 17S. Brooklyn, on organization campaign tor orerall
workers. Referred to Committee on Organization

Resolution No. 20— Local tt. New York, endorse movement for daily Italian labor
paper. Referred to Committee on Resolution*

Resolntion No. 21-Local U, New York, on proffmm of Brttiab Labor Party.
Referred to Committee on Report of Oficers
Adjourned 12:10 p. m.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Third Session.

Baltimore, Md., Tuesday, May 14, 1918.

The Convention was called to order at 2:15 p m., Tuesday, May 14, 1918, President
Hilhnan in the Chair.

The following messages of greeting were read by Secretary Schlossberg:

Brooklyn. N. Y., May 14, 1918.

On behalf of two thousand coat makers, whom we represent, accept our best
wishes and congratulations to the Third Biennial Convention. It is our hope that
this convention will undertake as its next move to win for the clothing workers in this
country a better and brighter life by inaugurating the forty-four-hour week.

Chairmen of Kalman Friedman's District,
Coat Branch, New York Joint Board, A. C. W. of A.
WM. GOLDBERG, Chairman. Member of Local 2.

New York. N. Y.. May 13, 1918.

Heartiest congratulations. May your deliberation bring about a shorter workday.
CHILDREN'S JACKET MAKERS' UNION, LOCAL 10.

I. Tanzer, Secretary.

Cincinnati, Ohio, May 13, 1918.

In this critical period, may your deliberations be of service to humanity. We
are undergoing the travail of truth. From these birthpalns a new freedom will be
born. The Amalgamated will surely do its utmost in this the last struggle of man.

Greetings until the better day,
NICHOLAS KLEIN

Chicago, 111., May 13, 1918.

May your efforts be crowned with glory. May the result of your deliberations
be of such nature that it shall illuminate the works and instill in them that spirit of
industrial democracy that will eventually dominate the world.

LOCAL 61, CHICAGO CLOTHING CUTTERS

AND TRIMMERS ASSOCIATION,
Louis Weiss, Secretary.

Toronto, Ontario, May 13, 1918.

The vestmakers of Toronto Local 222 are extending congratulations to our Third
Convention. We wish you success in your good work.

H. HECKER, Secretary.

New York, N. Y., May 13, 1918.

Congratulations to the Third Convention. Wish you success in bringing about
the forty-four-hour week in five days' work; also scale of wages, and to take the
platform for Palestine and send delegates to Congress. Hope you passed everything
successfully and report good news to local union. Best wishes,

MAX SILVERBERG,
Member Local 156.

Brooklyn, N. Y., May 13, 1918.

We congratulate yon. Long life to Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,
Pass resolution for a forty-four-hour week.

J. D'ANGELO,
Palm Beach, Local 157, A. C. W. of A.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION'

New York, N. Y.. May 11. 1918.

The Joint Executive Board of she United Brotherhood of Tailors extends its
congratulations to the Third Biennial Convention of the
Workers of America, and best wishes in all future undertakinc*.

D. 8AXDLER, Chairman.

Israel Galley. Secretary. Joint Executive Committee,
United Brotherhood of Tailors.

New York. N. Y.. May W. 1918.

to the Third Convention at Baltimore. We hope that (his
will help establish a six-hour-workday.

THE KNEBPANTS' MAKERS' UNION.

Local 19, B. Zuckerberg. Financial

New York. N. Y.. May 13. 1918.

The working men of Stauber A Sapers' shop, of Local 167. A. C W. of A-, are
sending yon heartiest congratulations, and hope that in the future you will con-
tinue your splendid work.

WORKERS OF STAUBER *

r. N. Y.. May 13. 1918.
We send our best greeting to your Third Convention. Appreciate the work
done and we also wish best success in the future.

ANCH 162. WORKMEN'S CIRCLE.

New York. N. Y.. May II. 1918.

May the future achievements of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers excell lu
marvelous attainments of the past

CLOTH TURNERS' UNION. LOCAL 6*.
N. Berger. Acting Secretary.

New York. N. Y.. May 18. 1918.

The Italian Branch of the New York Coat Makers. Local 63. extends greeting*
to the Third Biennial Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,
and expresses its fervent desire that our organization will win the recognition of
the world as one of the foremost in the straggle for the happiness and freedom for
those wfco serve the world.

JOS. CATALANOTTI. Chairman,
Cancelllerl, Secretary. Local 63. A. C. W of A.

Baltimore. Md.. May 14. 1918.

The Workers of the American Uniform Company, civilian branch,
heartiest greetings to the Third Biennial Convention of the Amalgamal
Workers of America.

B. SWARSKY. Chairman.

Baltimore, M&. May 13. 191&
Accept our best wishes and congratulations, stay your efforts be crowned with

PANTS PRESSERS', LOCAL 69. A. C. W. of A.

Rochester. N. Y.. May 13. 1918.

Rochester sends yon its heartiest greetings and best wishes. Our long
and spiritually enslaved fellow workers are fast recovering from Hie welfare
of our employers, and are rapidly awakening to their true interest in life,
joining oar ranks. The spirit for organisation is sweeping the city with a
sympathy and support of our International Union and Its great and growing
ship throughout the country. We feel that in the near future thi

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

will make of the foremost welfare fake and non-union clothing market in America
a mighty power for the protection of the workers. Remember that nineteen eighteen
ii the year for Rochester. Yours for a hundred per cent organization very soon, and
complete industrial and social democracy in our day,

THE ROCHESTER JOINT BOARD,

Locals 14, 202, 204, A. C. W. of A.

Louis Feldman, Secretary-Treasurer

Brooklyn, N. Y., May 13, 1S18.

Three thousand members of Locals 16 and 186, vett makers' unions of Greater
New York, extend their greetings and congratulations to the Third Diennial Con-
vention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. With best wishes for
success In all your future enterprises and for a freer and happier mankind,

A, WEINSTEIN, Secretary.

New York, N. Y., May 15, 1918.

Heartiest congratulations. May this, our Third Convention, realize our aim for
a successful one hundred per cent Amalgamated Clothing Workers' Union.

1IVMAN WOLFE.

Toronto, Ontario, May 13, 1918.

Tonight 1 am leaving for Palestine to nght for my country and nation. For
two yean, I am proud to say, I worked hard for the progress of the Amalgamated.
I congratulate you on your Third Convention. May you progress and succeed In
the work. Remember our martyred nation and help its deliveration.

M. KRAMER. JEWISH LEGIONAIRE,
(Formerly Secretary of Local 216, Toronto.)

Baltimore, Md., May 14, 1918.
Accept our heartiest congratulations.

BRANCH 67, WORKMEN'S CIRCLE.

New York, May 13, 1918.

We send greetings to your Third Annual Convention. Wishing you success
In your great work.

LOCAL 30 OF NEW YORK, A. C. W. of A.

Delegate Rosenblum continued reading the resolutions.

Resolutions

Resolution No. 22 — By the Boston delegation, in the matter of organizing th«
orerall workers. Referred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 23— From Locals 4 and 9, in the matter of officers' salaries. Referred
to Committee on Law.

Resolution No. 24 — By the Boston delegation, with regard to a paper In the
Lithuanian language to be published by this organization for our Lithuanian members.

At this point the President announced that as there were several resolutions that
teal with educational work, a Committee on Education will be appointed, and this
resolution will be referred to that Committee.

Resolution No. 25 — Joint Board of Toronto, Canada, including several different
topics. The Chair announced tfcat the different parts will be referred to the proper
Committees. The Chair suggested that in the future delegates take care to present
separate resolutions on separate topics.

Resolution No. 26 — Local 2, on officers' salaries. Referred to Committee on Law.

Resolution No. 27 — Local 2, on editorial policy. Referred to Committee on Re-
solutions.

Resolution No. 28 — Local 2, on conventions. Referred to Committee on Law.

Resolution No. 29 — Local 2, on policies of officials. Referred to Committee on
Law.

Resolution No. 30 — Local 2, on the composition of the General Executive Board.
Referred to Committee on Law.

BALT1MORB CONVENTION

Resolution No. 81— Locm) 1. on sjsitttflartasj of daUcatss. totem* to Commit
on Law.

Resolution No. SI— Local 2. ID the matter of foreign Isngissjsa, Referred to

Committee on Resolution*

Resolution No. W— Local 2. on financial reports. Referred to CoanUttee cm
Reports of Officers,

Resolution No. 14— Local S. on the election of officers Referred to Ccssatttes
on La*

Resolution No. U— Local 2. on the 44 hour week. Referred to Organization

Resolution No. 3*— Local 211. on * minimum wage. Referred to

Resolution No. 87— Local 1M. New York. In the matter of the organisation of the
lerks. Referred to Committee on Resolution!

itlon No. 3*— Local 168, New York, providing for an orfanlier tor the
:IK clerks Referred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 2»— Local 172. Boston. In favor of the restoration of Palestine to
the Jew. na.

Resolution No. 40— By the delegates of Locals 4 and 63 on the New York Call
Referred to Committee on Education.

Resolution No. 41— Local 112. Cleveland, on organization campaign. Referred to
Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 42 — Local 218. on several matters. Will he assigned to various

Resolution No. 43— Local 1S6. New York, on the amalgamation of the two Joint
Boards in New York. Referred to Committee on Organization.

President H The delegates who have not handed In

tlons as yet will please take notice that thin afternoon and tomorrow
the only sessions left In which to hand In their resolutions We have
deal in the last two y-ars it has taken a ?r-nt deal of effort to get
are now. Everyone of the officers in the city, the active members in the city, the
rank and file in the city, have contributed their share. But. as in other cities, the
Socialists came to our aid in the time of great struggle. I now take great
In introducing to you the editor of the "Public Ownership" of this city. Mr.
Shipley. (Loud applause).

Address of Msynard Shipley

Mr. Shipley congratulated the Amalgamated Clothing Workers upon its
success, and said:

•The only bright spot that I found when I arrived here, and got a little
acquainted in this city, was that grand and wonderful organisation that yon are
representing here today, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. (Applasjse,)
I say this, friends, without any desire to compliment yon. let alone to flatter yon. I
could not flatter you if I wanted to. and I don't want to. I say this
of my heart, that If It were not for tho splendid organization of class
in the Amalgamated here in this city I would simply have to take my $2

ir organization has been so strong because of the so
which your organization is based. It has been so strong that even the
influences, the scabbing of the A. F. of L. on your jobs, the efforts that tho
has made to break every strike that the Amalgamated has been forced to
these have not weakened you. It has strengthened you when yon hare tho
of having Mr. Ferguson against you. and that is as high a rormmiosxlafirm as can
be given any working class organisation. (Applause.)

Only a few months ago I had the pleasure of traveling through Boat of the
State, and I found there, even way out In the coal mines In the
that these coal miners out there are thinking of the Amalgamated
of America of Baltimore. They are modeling their unions in the coal
on what you are accomplishing in the needle trade Industry of this and
They are copying after you."

TED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Mr. Shipley spoke of the valuable assistance given to thU organization by the
Socialist party of Baltimore and its organ, "Public Ownership," and concluded:

can say to you in all honest conviction, that I believe that I am looking into
the faces today of the men and the women who will live to see a great industrial
democracy reared on the political democracy of America today." (Applause.)

Appeal from the Chicago "Daily World"

The Chairman next Introduced Mr. Max Globerman, of the "Daily World," the
only radical Jewish newspaper, in fact, the only radical newspaper in Chicago. He
delivered a stirring appeal to the members for aid for this daily, as it represents the
organ of radical thought in the city of Chicago.

Address by William O'Toole

The Chairman then Introduced Mr. William O'Toole. the organizer of the Socialist
party In Baltimore. Mr. O'Toole was heartily cheered. He delivered an address In
which he appealed to the members for financial aid for the newspaper, "Public Own-
ership." inasmuch as. he stated. Comrade Shipley was too bashful to ask the members
for aid. He expressed his admiration for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
America, and endorsed the sentiments of all the previous speakers. He prophesied
the time when the Amalgamated would become the leading power in the labor world.
and when its ideas would spread through the entire labor movement.

More Resolutions Presented

At this point Delegate Rosenblum read further resolutions as follows:

Resolution No. 44 — By Locals 116, 209 and 277 of Montreal, on educational work.
Referred to Committee on Education.

Resolution No. 45 — By the same delegation. Treating of various matters; will
be referred to the several committees.

Resolution No. 46 — By Delegates Taylor, of Local 142, and Indyke, of Local 161.
on Russia. Referred to Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 47— By the same delegation, on the Mooney case. Referred to
Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 48 — By Local 169, on a strike in the children's sailor suit industry.
Referred to Organization Committee.

Resolution No. 49 — On Convention. Referred to Miscellaneous Committee.

Resolution No. 50 — By Local 63, on political activity. Referred to Committee on
Resolutions.

Resolution No. 51 — By Local 175, on the forty-four-hour week. Referred to Com-
mittee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 52 — By Delegates Taylor and Indyke, on literature for our members
at the front. Referred to Committee on Education.

Resolution No. 53 — On composition of the General Executive Board. Referred
to Committee on Law.

Resolution No. 65 — By Local 3, on hours of labor. Referred to Committee on
Resolutions.

Resolution No. 56 — Local 3, on foreign languages. Referred to Committee on
Resolutions.

Resolution No. 57 — By Local 3, on legal holidays. Referred to Committee on
Resolutions.

Resolution No. 58 — By Local 3, officers' salaries. Referred to Committee on Law.
Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society

Mr. Hirsch Bloch. representative of the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid
Society, was Introduced by the Chairman. Mr. Bloch told the delegates of the great
work done by the Institution he represents, without any discrimination as to nationality,
creed or otherwise, and asked that the Institution receive the liberal support of our
organization.

Announcement by Arrangement* Committee

Delegate Crystal, Chairman of the Local Arrangements Committee, announced
that a mass meeting will be held at Lyric Hall this evening.

At 4 o'clock the Chair adjourned the Session until 9:30 the next morning, In order
to enable the committees to immediately begin their work.

BALTIMORE

Fourth Session.

Baltimore. Md.. Wednesday, May 16, 191ft.

The meeting was called to order at 9:W A. M.. President
Secretary Sehiossberg read the following messages of greeting

New York. May 14. 1118.

This Is our message for good luck to the Third Biennial Convention of the
r^m*"^ Clothing Worken of America. We shall continue with renewed energy the
march of the workers upon the long and thorny path, upon which you hare been bring-
ing the workers ever nearer to democracy and freedom.

S8 AGENT STAFF. COAT MAJORS* BRANCH.

NEW YORK JOINT BOARD.
Frank Leventhal Acting

New York. N. Y.. May 1J. 1118.

Our heartiest congratulations to your Third Biennial Convention. May the
brotherly spirit of solidarity prevail In your ranks. May your splendid work OB the
economic and educational Held be continued In the future until the creation of the
new social order.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. WORKMEN* CIRCLE.

New York. May 14. 191ft.

We. the officers and members of Local 2. aend our beat greeting and
to your honorable body. No doubt you will work for the intereat of oar
the future as you did In the past Long live the Amalgamated.

EXECUTIVE BOARD. LOCAL 1
Abe Simon. Temporary Secretary.

New York. May 14. 1918.

Extending to you our heartiest congratulations on the eve of your Third
ventlon. May your deliberations and undertakings for the advancement and
•Bee of the Interests of your members and all who toil be crowned with great
JOINT BOARD. FURRIERS' UNION. LOCALS 1. S. 10

M. Kaufman,

Sooth Brooklyn. N. Y.. May 14. 191ft.

Our heartiest congratulations to the Third Biennial Convention of the
Clothing Workers of America. We wish the delegates success in their
is the forty-four-hour week.

EMPLOYES OF MAKES A GELMAN.

Cleveland. Ohio. May 14. 191ft.

Success and sunshine to our convention. May your gathering be a
orchard whose fruit shall be picked in time all throughout the organisation

LOCAL

New York. May 14. 191ft.

We extend to your organization greetings and congratulates* upon your Third
Dttnnlil Convention. The success that your organisation has made within the past
tone years has been greater than the accomplishments of other organisations in the

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

past twenty-fire years. We again extend to you a heartiest congratulation and best
wishes. May your future be crowned with success.

PANTS CONTRACTORS' ASSOCIATION OF

GREATER NEW YORK, INC.,
Harris Feiner, President.
Harry Slupsky, Manager.

South Brooklyn, N. Y., May 14, 1918.

Let the next convention find a mighty world international where elements will be
as strong and daring as ours. Then no evil spirit will laugh any more its red laughter
and the brotherhood of the working class will no longer be a dream.

BRITZER, Chairman, Local 259.

Brooklyn, N. Y., May 14, 1918.

The Brownsville and Bast New York Hospital, Inc.. extends heartiest congratula-
tions to the Third Biennial Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
America.

BROWNSVILLE AND BAST NEW YORK HOSPITALS.

President HILLMAN: Before we proceed to our regular business, I shall take
this opportunity to call upon a fraternal delegate to address this convention. The
Cutters' Union of the city of Boston, an independent organization, not affiliated with
the Amalgamated, has been working in full harmony with our organization for the
past year, and has sent a fraternal delegate to this convention. I shall now call
upon Brother Barry to address us.

Address of Joseph F. Barry

Delegate Barry: Brother workers, members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers,
I want to say that this is unexpected. I am not strong. I don't know that I can make
myself heard. But those of you who are from Ne^w York and Boston and Baltimore
know that I represent a local of Boston Clothing Cutters, an Independent organization,
which has always been affiliated with every labor movement concerning a clothing
Industry except the present Amalgamated. We have always been so far ahead of the
other clothing centers of the country that it used to distress us to hear the reports
that our delegates would bring back from the different conventions of the clothing
workers. In November, 1917, I had occasion to go to New York on some business
relating to Government contracts. And it came to my notice that the Cutters — of
course, we are mainly interested in the Cutters — had got beyond and far surpassed the
Boston Clothing Cutters in wages and conditions. And I returned home and reported
that fact to my organization. And then, in the course of events, with the assistance
and the advice of some of your good members of the Amalgamated, my organization
Toted to send a fraternal delegate here to Investigate and find out what the Amalga-
mated was doing.

Well, we take the city right here in which we are, the city of Baltimore, as you all
know, was always a blot on the clothing workers. Now I can go back to Boston and
tell them the fact that you have revolutionized the conditions In Baltimore and made It
a place to work in instead of being slaves, such as you used to be. The same condition!
exist in New York, from the reports that I hear from the delegates.

1 know that this is the work of the Amalgamated. I know that you must be doing
the same In every community that you represent. I know that I am going back to

Boston and I am going to tell them a story that they have not heard for a long time.
They are going to hear of a convention of clothing workers that was mainly composed
of men, different from what has been in the past, when my local was interested in a
national labor movement. The old days I can well remember when certain people
governed and ruled the convention. It was not the men as far as I can remember, was
it Brother Hilrman?

President HILLMAN: No.

BALTIMORE CONVENT

Delegate BAJUt .

that I have met aad
ted. A more Intelligent, a better
in any convention before.

Now. I can not say. brothers, or feltow-workere. that my organization 1*
join the Amalgamated. I am only one. It is for me to bring back to them a report of
your view*, and they will act accordingly. They are Intelligent men. If they wish to
join the Amalgamated. God speed to them. But I am going to cloee by wtohini
niiBiisjiliil imoiTi and lone life of the Amalgamated for the food work that yon
In ih* uplift of the clothing industry in this country, because if there to

thai needs uplift It Is the clothing Industry I have been in It *
to know 1 inmaeitur It from the time when aa an errand boy I took the doCnini
the swealahop aad from the time that I took the clothing and unpacked it
the caace coming from New York The shocking condition* that prevailed in
clothing Industry the Amalgamated ha* stopped in many place*, and 1 know It to
to stop them throughout the rest of the coui.

I remember the condition* from the report* that were brought back In
year* by the delegate* to the conventlona. We never got a decent report from any
city with the eioeptkm of New York once in a while. But now. mingling wK* the
I find that you are improving condition* la every place and every city
you have aa organization, and I hope that the Amalgamated, before they are
will standardise the wage* and the condition* in the flhrthlng Industry of the
United State* aad Canada, so that no matter where a man'* home la. If It to hi* leek
to have to change hi* city where he to to live, that wherever he goe* he will find the
same good conditions and the same good wages. I thank you. brother*, aad wish you
continued success. (Applause.)

Preeideat H1LLMAN: I shall now announce the Committee on

A. Becker-man. Chairman .Local 4.

A. Yelknrltz ...Local 43.

Harry Blsen Local :

David Goldberg Local St.

A, Feldman .... »cal IS.

Frank Lennan Local 1.

M. Slrki . Local 114. Baltla*ej»

N'lrenberK Ix>cal 1. New York

Betmle Berensteln . . . Local It. Baltimore
I* there any objection to these appointments?
(There was none.)

I shall also appoint Delegate Young In place of Brother Ledennaa. who did not
accept the appointment, as assistant sergeant -at arms We have with ue a
Uve of the Naturalization Aid League and one of the Vice-Presidents of the
Ladle** Garment Workers' Union I have the pleasure of Introducing to yom
Pania Cohen.

Address of Fanla Cohen

Mr. Chairman and fellow worker*: It is needle** to tell you that I was very glad
to take advantage of the opportunity to appear before you here at year Third
Convention. My own organization, the International
will hold it* convention next week, and I am quite busy with the
menu. Still I was tempted to be with you and say a few words to you. After all, we
consider ourselves one organization, of the

I will tell you the special object of coming here this morning It to the flrst
la my life. I will say. that I am coming with such a mission, aad I hope I will be enc-
ceesfttl. You know we are living In this country under a system under which every ma*
or woman living here for five year* has a right to become a crtliea of this country, aad
enjoy the privilege* that go with citltenshlp. Unfortunately the workers aeglect thU

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

opportunity. The middle class and the wealthy class are always naturalized. Why?
It is very staple. They have time for it. If you approach the workers they tell you:
"I have to work. I cannot go to Court and spend a day or two days or more In order
to become a citlxen." In dull season the worker tells you: "I am worried by unem-
ployment and cannot think of becoming a citizen." He neglects it.

Now, we have a new element In New York. It is the women. Last November the
franchise wms granted to them. But what did we discover? A very small number of
them are citizens. The vast majority of them are not citizens at all. Do you know what
It means? To my mind they are traitors to *heir own class if they don't become citizens
of a country, where they could use their vote, where they could elect their own repre-
sentatives. We find it necessary to organize in the city of New York, where the bulk
of your membership and ours live, a league for the purpose of educating the workers to
become citizens, tell them of their duty to become citizens, tell them to become citizens
and elect their own representatives to Assembly, to Congress, et cetera. This involves
The U. S. District Court in New York appreciated the necessity and the use-
of our league, and it Is now recognized by that Court.

Now this Is the first time that I am going to ask for money. It is a very unpleasant
thing to do. but knowing how liberally your organization always responds to any appeal
from the labor movement, I was persuaded to come here and ask for funds. Your organ!
zation has already contributed to this institution. So did our organization. But it is
going to contribute again. You have a representative on the executive board, your Presi-
dent and your Secretary are on the advisory committee, and they will see to it that you
will get the benefit for your members out of this league. I hope that every one of you
will do something, will vote for a contribution. I thank you. (Applause.)

President HILLMAN: The Socialist Party 1918 Campaign Committee has sent its
representative, Brother Bakal, to make a request of the convention. I will now call on
Brother Bakal, who will address the convention on this subject for a few minutes.
(Applause.)

Comrade Bakal made a strong appeal for contributions for the Million Dollar Fund
the Socialist Party has undertaken to raise for the next congressional campaign through-
out the country.

President HILLMAN: The delegates, I hope, are aware that this is the last session
for the presentation of resolutions. When this session is over, no more resolutions will
be accepted, except by unanimous consent.

The Arrangements Committee asks that we adjourn the convention tomorrow at
11 o'clock so as to give an opportunity to the delegates to see Washington. What Is your
pleasure?

Delegate HARRY COHEN: I move to that effect.

Chairman: Will the mover of the motion agree that we meet tonight until 7 o'clock
and that tomorrow we adjourn at 11 o'clock a. m. for the rest of the day?

Delegate COHEN: I accept that in the motion.
The motion was seconded.

Delegate RABKIN of Local 209: I move that we delay the Washington trip until the
convention is through with its business.

This amendment was seconded, but was lost by an overwhelming vote.
The original motion was carried.

President HILLMAN: We have with us here a number of Schloss Bros, strikers.

Their appearance was greeted by thunderous applause, and as the strikers marched
around the delegates, the enthusiasm and applause grew in volume until it was deafening-
The demonstration lasted for fully six minutes and filled the hearts of everyone with
emotion and pride and strength.

The strikers then proceeded to the balcony to listen to the proceedings of the con-
vention.

President HILLMAN: I shall now call on the Manager of our Local Organization,
a member of our General Executive Board, Brother Hyman Blumberg, to greet the con-
vention and the strikers. (Applause.)

BALTIMORE CONVK

Address of Hyman Blumberg

it would have done mt mort good tf those who have
that we have DO onranliatlon in the City of Baltimore were frilMt IB CMt
the splendid reception accorded to our strikers of Be h loss
out BOW for five weeks— the reception accorded them by this

Brother Shlplacoff last night in his address at the Lyric Theatre said that special
cities are subject to special epidemics of disease. He cited that In the City of New York
they had the epidemic of Infantile paralysis. In Baltimore we have the epidemic of
Ferguson f .« In this same hall, when the American Federation of Labor held its

convention her vember. 1916. that this same Ferguson, sitting at one of

tables, said that he was proud to be a scab agent. And In response to Prselds
who had attacked the actions of Ferguson in this City, said that if
scab agents In the United States, to forward them to

And I agree with him. Ferguson is not enough In this City to combat the

gamated Clothing Workorn. H»» will n«'«vl moro' (Appl:m-«- » Th- <»::>,;,. ,,f our
in thin city, as shown by the tremendous fights that they have pot up. is sucn that if all
the Fergusons of the United States were sent to Baltimore by the entire American Fed-
eration of Labor, they would only help to strengthen the Amilsjimstsd Clothing Work-
ers in this City to more solidly unite the clothing workers as a whole in Baltimore.

The activity of our enemies against us has only tended to make this city oae tas>
dred per cent. Amalgamated.

I sincerely hope that, before this convention adjourns. I may be In a position to re-
port to you a settlement— an Amalgamated settlement— of the Schloss strike! (Hurrah!
and great applause.) And when the adjustment will be made with that firm, it will be
years and years before any labor faker In this or In any other city that he may come
from will ever dare attempt again an attack on our organization! (Applause )

I could not close without again referring to a remark that was made In this hall
at the convention of the American Federation of Labor. At that time. Samuel Oompers.
from this platform, said In reference to a question that came up. and I will repeat that
remark with reference to the Fergusons. Oompers said : "Lay on MacDuff. and dasned
be he who will cry enough!" (Loud applause.)

President H1LLMAN: I am sure that the delegates, as well as the strikers, will be
glad to listen to one who has participated In every fight in this city, as well as la staer
cities, of our International, and this Is Brother Frank Be 11 an ca, editor of our Italian
organ. Lavoro.

Brother Bellanca of Local 63 delivered a stirring address In Italian. His speech was
received with enthusiasm by the Italian members present and frequently interrupted by

President HILLMAN: When the Nashville situation arose, we found that we
in great need of professional men. especially lawyers, and went to friendly legal
In New York. Morris HtllquH defended the legal side of oar case; in Cincinnati we were
very fortunate In having the assistance of our friend Nicholas Klein. We will give up
part of the morning's session to listen to an address by our friend. Nicholas Klein of
Cincinnati.

Address of Nicholas Klein

Mr. President and Friends: I did not expect to be called upon at this very -
at least, because of the presence of my good friend and colleague, who has just
to you from the City of Washington, with a message of encouragement, I have BO
But I was asked when I approached the platform to say some few words of
ment to the Schloss Brothers strikers of Baltimore. I can only say this, that
than I could say this morning has already been demonstrated* here on this
in this hall. The marching around of the men and the women this irfrr^g. *&d t-V
standing up of the groups of delegates from the various cities, was indeed an Inspiring
spectacle to my

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

I believe that they have been on strike for five consecutive weeks. The strikers
now realize -what war means. And they also realize no doubt what Sherman said about
war, because, my friends, a strike is a war, the two contending forces fighting like sep-
arate armies, each for Its share of the spoils in this world today.

The speaker this morning, the Chairman or the co-worker of Baltimore, Bald that
a settlement was about to be had, and he expected to announce before the adjournment
of your convention a settlement of this strike. My friends, I hope that is true. I hope
that the Schlo«s Brothers strikers are going to win a splendid victory! (Applause.)

There never has been such a wonderful opportunity for labor as presents itself this
rtry moment. But, my friends. I have in mind this, and I say this to the strikers and I
say this to the delegates. Labor just now is In the flower of its manhood. Just like this
beautiful spring day. when the buds are beginning to open, so labor is coming into its
own. But, my friends, that in due in great measure not so much to your stand either as
or working-women, but to the peculiar economic status which has beem
about by the war. And I say to you, my friends, that perhaps after this war —
and that is not so far off— a chance will come to you strikers, and to you workers, to
show not by applause, but by action, how much per cent, you feel for organized labor.
Because, my friends, after this war. there will be a sreat unemployment problem. The
munition plants will be closed and useless, and millions of munitions workers will be
thrown out upon the market. And then the time will come to show whether you strikers
and you workers believe one hundred per cent, for organized labor or only 35 per cent.,
because, my friends, my good friend is he who is with me when the storms are beating,
when I am hungry, when I have no money, when everybody is spitting on me, when I
am in Jail; and then, when a man comes to me and says, "I am with you; have courage;
I'm your friend!" that man is my brother — that man is two hundred per cent, because
that man is not a sunshine friend. Sunshine friends organized labor can get now. Sun-
shine friends organized labor can get when it is victorious, when it is on top. But the
true test will come to you, strikers, and to you workers, in Just a short time. To you
strikers, who have been holding out five weeks. I may say a word of courage, and U
this: When you go into the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, you are going
mto a real organized Union, not a bosses' union. You are going into a union made up
of those who have Ideals, of those who believe in you, of those who are working for
you. of those who are using every energy and every effort, not for politics, but to make
it better for you in the shop, not because of a label, but because you are workers and
you produce all the wealth.

And I say to you, stick to that Union. That Union means Just what It says. It is
a Union of organized forces In America in the needle trades.

So, my friends, without taking up any more time, let me say to you, and without
being pessimistic, that there will be evil days coming. And they are not so far off. I
wonder how many of the membership of New York and Chicago and all over the country
are so solidified and will stick to the Union, to the Amalgamated, when the time comes —
when the call comes, and you are put to the test. Will you be a real soldier in a grand
army of labor, or will you be one of those stragglers who only come in to get two dollars
or more wages per week? That is going to be the great problem.

And the education of your membership now, the solidifying of your forces now, the
making of your lines strong now, my friends, is the big, big question, and it can be
done — anything can be done If a Union of one hundred thousand members can be
organized In three years like has been so wonderfully done here by your leaders and by
your officers and your membership, my friends, anything is possible. Education is pos-
sible, and the winning of strikes Is possible.

Let me close Just now by giving you a little story that I have given you once before.
I close by telling you the story, because I think it explains better than anything else, at
this time, the great possibilities which can come to labor. There is a story told about
the making of the first railway. There was an old man, it is said, whose name was
Stevenson, who made the first locomotive. You know, Just like in the labor movement
they said locomotives were impossible. You had to have horses or cattle to pull a train;
that nothing would go without something being attached to it. There would be no loco-
motion.

And when old man Stevenson proposed a train— something to be run without the aid
of horses or oien, he was ridiculed. One day a test was made, and they laid two pieces

BALTIMORE

and upon these two piecee of wood they placed some thin shaeta of metal, and
that crude arrangement waa placed the flrat locomotive.
And it is said in this story that tbouaaada of people were ovt to ate the flrat taet

of that locomotive, and of couree the people all shouted, aad pointed to th«r

crazy, aad they aald the locomotive waa out of queetlon: It waa lav
and the crowd yelled out: "You old foggy fool! Yon can't do It! You cant do
And the same everywhere. The old man waa in the cab. and aoanbody fired a
pistol and the signal was given. He pulled the throttle open and the engine shot oat aad
In their iaa limit the crowd, not knowing how to answer I

to that argument.
" TOD old fool! You can't stop It! You can't stop it! Yon can't stop It' ' < Applaoee )

And my friends. In this story you have a history of thto entire movement- Ftret they
ignore you. Then they ridicule you And then they attack you and want to burn you.
And then they build monuments to you.

And that is what is going to happen to the Amalgamated Ctotatag Workere of
America.

And 1 say, courage to the striker*, and courage to the deiegatea, bacauas groat
are coming, stressful daya are here, aad I hope your hearts will be atrong. aad 1
will be one hundred per cent, union when It cornea! (Great applause )

President MILKMAN.* I am sure that Coagreaamaa London noodo
to this convention I take great pleasure in calling upon Congreeeman Meyer London te
address this convention.

London received an ovation, everybody rising and cheering wildly.

Congressman London's Addreea

Chairman and Deiegatea to the Amalgamated

vvas with a great deal of hesitation that I left the city of Washington even for a
couple of hours and absented myself from a part of the •aiilmv It has fallen to ma to
be a member of the American ConirresA at a time when the world la aflame.
thing is In the crucible, when the flux Is more rapid than e-ver in the hlatory of the
tyrdom of the race. And it has fallen to my lot in this hour of stress to
norlty view— to speak for those who have been voiceless for a long time, to
the tomorrow or the day to come. And every ounce of my energy, all I have and all that
I expect to develop, all my spiritual, intellectual and physical strength is devoted to the
task before me.

I always find inexpressible pleasure In addressing a gathering of
greatest event In hlatory waa the organization of the flrat labor union. It to
man who Is at the very bottom of the social scale, when the worker upon »Boaa
rests all the weight and all the burden of society, it is when he arlaea. whan ha
claim a share In the world— not only better clothing and better shoes
but when he demands access to the world's treasures of learning and
lated for centuries, when he begins to draw upon the reservoir of wl

and of education. It is then that mankind begins to move forward.

It is organized labor— united labor— that will push the world forward, aad
apeak of organized labor I know that your convention and your organization occupies
* • preeent moment a unique position. It looks aa If you are Isolated. But that will
not be for long. I know that all of you. your leaden aa well aa the
will use the first opportunity to see to it that you become a pan and
labor movement which will embrace the entire country and the entire

Labor cannot afford to be selfish or sectarian or aristocratic. That
curse of the labor movemnt for years. The clothing worker, the ladiea*
and the tailor, was the roost deaplsed of all workers. You know that old
"It takes nine tailors to make a man." That proverb came about In a vary
In olden days men were aa foolish In matters of dreaa aa women are today and It
a dozen tailor* to make up one man. It required an extra tailor to prepare the half-
tro-aaera for him, aad the vest and the coat and the lapels, and all aorta of frills, so that
the proverb waa created that "It takee nine tailors to make one man." But others
applied it as a term of reproach aad contempt for the tailor, for the clothing
And it waa a term of reproach, thirty years ago. before the great labor
tailoring tradea aaw the light

Now It is a pleasure, it Is an honor, to apeak to organize*
them not only tho dothlnic worker, not only the man who ia
only the man who aeeks the Improvement of hta

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

has a vision, who looks into the tature, who studies and reads and thinks and who Is in
the forefront of the labor movement, striving toward genuine progress.

There is nothing to be despised about the tailor today. No bricklayers' convention
and no railroad workers' convention and no telegraphers' convention can present that
volume of idealism, of striving and craving for the better, that our conventions present
And that Is why we are today in the vanguard of the labor movement. We have broken
away from the past. We are not destroyers, but we have stopped licking the dust of the
past. So far as our Ideals are concerned, we always know that they will become a reality
when you have your feet on the ground and when you fight now and here for immediate
Improvements, always guided by a big broad desire to improve not only your own con-
ditions but the conditions of the world. It is this combination of the ideal and the prac-
tical that Is characteristic of our union. We cannot build the cooperative commonwealth
you build better men today. The union builds and creates that soul which Is es-
for the world to travel forward.

The sailor is made on the sea and in tho storm, the soldier on the firing line. The
that will build a future society must begin building his character and his manhood
his moral strength and develop his fibre a< a fighter today and here in the fights
for the betterment of the conditions of the workers.

I recall having read a beautiful sketch by one of the p: ian writ< -off.

He pictures a skillful aviator — a man who In a very short time acquired a reputation as
the best aviator in the country. He had the very best machine. He was to give an
exhibition of his skill and adroitness. And as he went up, the plaudits of the crowd ac-
companying him. he looked with contempt on the crowd below him. All was so petty
and so small and and so sordid. And he snld, "T will go up higher and higher and away
from this crowd of small men, and away from the little things and away from the com-
monplace " And as he went up high he determined to make this circle still "wider and
•till higher, and up he went higher and higher and higher, and wider and wider was the
sphere that he soared away from the low, away from the contemptible, away from the
little men and women who inhabit the earth — higher and higher. He refused to come
down. Every thing below was so sordid. But he did come down, and his machine came
down, a dead machine with a dead aviator.

The idealist who starts ou.t with a complete disregard for things as they are, who
believes that this world is soiiiid and small, that the fight for wages and for hours Is
too petty a thing, that what we ought to do is to reorganize the entire society, all at once,
and build up a cooperative commonwealth beginning from the twentieth floor, Is like
that aviator. He will go up higher and higher into wider and wider spheres away from
everything small, but he will come down a dead man In a dead machine.

The man who fights today for things worth while is the man who builds the world.
I am glad to see that the great majority. If not all of the members of this union In this
great crisis of the world, realizes that the last man In the world to scab against Uncle
Sam is a member of organized labor and a member of a union.

I did my part in the Congress of the United State* representing that body of thought
which I as a Socialist stood for and stand for today. I know that labor, always capable
of realizing the necessity of utilizing every existing force for the improvement of con-
ditions will take the practical view. And what means thf» practical view? Is the word
"practical" a contemptible term? No. What does it mean? When we use that word
from the platform of a labor convention, It means that which is best fitted to serve our
Ideals and our purposes. It is in this sense only that we can use the word "practical."
Any other method is destructive of the very things that we are striving for.

I have tried on the floor of Congress, as I am trying everywhere else, to destroy the
idea that war times are not times for improvements. I tried In the last argument on the
so-called sedition bill to prove that it is In war times that we are to make changes which
are necessary to put society on a proper basis. It fas when the nation Is put to stress,
when all its energy Is called into action, when all its resources are needed, it Is then
that we find what is wrong with us. It is then that we discover what is defective in our
economics and in our politics. It Is then that every weak spot appears on the surface.

Twenty-nine out of every 100 men who appeared to be examined for military service
were found to be physically defective. There is a condition which we never understood
before. That fact faces us today. And the fact is so apparent, so eloquent, so clear, BO
convincing that we cannot postpone the removal of that horrible fact until the war is

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

If we need strong men to fig ht th* nation's fights and the world's fights ta UBS*
of war. we Insist thai we shall have strong men In time* of peace aad forever.

Special students of American conditions knew that there was illiteracy ta «oeme eec-

shelter.

We all knew In peaceful times that profiteering was a curse. But imagine the siuta-
tkm today. Somebody asked me on the floor of Congress whether I would favor a strike
in the trenches. I said Because in the trenches the rich boy aad tho

poor boy. the banker's son and the bricklayer, are standing shoulder to shoulder pouring
••Ir blood. The rich man's son does not try to get Into the poor man's pocket and
pick out his change. The rich man's son will exploit the poor man's son over hero km
industry. The very reverse takes place of what takes place on the hattloflold. Aad that
ta why we must be energetic, strong and courageous. Wo are not going to scab on Uncle
Sam. but we don't want any profiteer to scab on us!

There are great problems now. I don't know whether the statesmen of the world
are capable of solving the problems that face tho world today. But the British Labor
Movement, the French Labor Movement, the Italian Labor Movement, the Labor Move-
ments of the World have their reconstruction program. They speak as brave BOB. not
from books, not from theories, not from little pamphlets. No. In the university of lite
they have learned a lesson, and the English worker and the French worker Insist that
when the war Is over and when he goes back home he should bo not only a partner to
the national debt of Great Britain and a pan owner of the French national obligation*,
but that he should have access to the land and to the industries and that he should be
given an opportunity to live a free man's life In a free country.

And when you will be accused — and no one will dare accuse u»— of lack of love for
these United States, we say that, so far as we are concerned, no matter In
some of us might have been born, no matter in what country the graves of our
may be. thin country, where the cradle of our children Is standing, is our
country! We shall not in this hour of crisis be weak. Now is the time for

Now friends, you delegates of a union representing laboring men. you are not all
the labor movement unfortunately. There are still millions of tollers who don't know,
who have not seen the light of organization. There are still millions of men who don't
understand the mission of our movement. Let every one of you men and women con*
stltute himself a teacher and an organizer and a leader. Read more, study more, try
to understand more. Let not the word "workers" be a term of contempt Organise,
teach, don't throw the burden upon leaders only, because the leader has definite difficult
functions to perform. The work of organizing must be done by the mssses.

And not only In strikes. Oh. the strike unions! How I despise them! A strike
organized, and all the people joining the union by paying in a quarter, and there ta a
union man. A scab yesterday, a quarter made him a union man today. That Is the snsis
kind of

It takes more sacrifices than that to be a real union man. It takes more
to be a union man than the paying in of a quarter. Upon you rests the fate of the
And so let every one of us become a carrier of light, a propagandist of Ideas, the
of a cause, the prophet of a better dsy. strong men. strong women In this terrible crisis
where the world Is being drowned in blood. We need every strong man. Wo need every
Intelligent man, we need every intelligent woman and more energy, more faith, more love
for humanity!

A great ovation was given Congressman London upon the conclusion of his addreom.

Resolutions Assigned

Board Member Frank Rosenblum read the following resolutions, which wore then
assigned to committees;

Resolution No. 54— By delegation of Local S, New York, on tiuuifUittUli of General
Executive Board. Referred to Committee on Law.

AMALGAMATED CLOTH INCi WORKERS OF AMERICA

Resolution No. 59 — Boston Joint Board, on the eight-hour day. Referred to Com-
mittee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 60 — Pantsmakers' Delegation, New York, on organization campaign
of pantsmakers. Referred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 61 — Chicago Joint Board, on organization campaign. Referred to
Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 62 — Local 230, Baltimore, as to Bohemian organizer. Referred to
Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 63— Local 69. Baltimore, as to Polish organizer. Referred to Com-
mittee on Organization.

Resolution No. 64— Locals 4 and 9. New York; 61, Chicago; 116, Montreal; IS,
Baltimore, as to cutter organizer. Referred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 65 — Local 30, New York, as to Russian organizer. Referred to Com-
mittee on Organization.

Resolution No. G6 — Locals 15. 36. 69, 114 and 241, Baltimore, on organization of
country shops. Referred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 67 — Local 157, New Yoi k, on organization of the Palm Beach
workers. Referred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 68- — Local 69, Baltimore, on Industrial organization with national
branches. Referred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 69 — Locals 16, 186 and 262, New York, on thanks to Socialist press.
Referred to Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 70 — Local 244. New York, on abolition of sub-contracting. Referred
to Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 71 — Local 144, Chicago, on bonding of financial officers. Referred
to Committee on Finance.

Resolution No. 72 — Chicago delegation, on financial support to "Dally World."
Referred to Committee on Finance.

Resolution No. 73 — Local 114. Baltimore, on financial support to Public Ownership.
Referred to Committee on Finance.

Resolution No. 74 — Toronto Joint Board, on financial support Naye Welt. Referred
to Committee on Finance.

Resolution No. 75 — Toronto Joint Board, on financial support "Jewish Labor
Gazette." Referred to Committee on Finance.

Resolution No. 76 — Locals 2 and 161, New York, on financial support of the Naye
Welt Referred to Committee on Finance.

Resolution No. 77 — Local 61, Chicago, on books and pamphlets. Referred to Com-
mittee on Education.

Resolution No. 78 — Local 3, New York, on political prisoners. Referred to Com-
mittee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 79— Local 175, New York, thanks to Harry Cohen. Referred to
Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 80 — Locals 4 and 9, New York, thanks to Mrs. Blumberg for her
most valuable services to the organization. Referred to Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 81 — Local 61, Chicago, on tuberculosis sanatorium. Referred to
Committee on Miscellaneous.

Resolution No. 82— Local 61, Chicago, on organizing Chicago clothing workers.
Referred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 83 — Local 6, Chicago, on Czecho-Slovak Independence. Referred to
Committee on Reports of Officers.

Resolution No. 84 — Local 156. New York, on uniform prices on military work.
Referred to Committee on Miscellaneous.

Resolution No. 85— Local 69, Baltimore, on representation by nationalities on the
G. E. B. Referred to Committee on Law.

Resolution No. 86— Local 156. New York, as to foremen and contractors. Referred
to Committee on LAW.

Resolution No. 87 — Local 144. Chicago, on uniform bookkeeping system. Referred
to Committee on Finance.

Resolution No. 88 — Local 69, Baltimore, on subscription to official organs. Referred
to Committee on Reports of Officers.

Resolution No. 89 — Local 15, Baltimore, on organizing work. Referred to Commit-
tee on Organization.

BALTIMORE CONVEN

No.

live Board. Referred to Committee on Law.

Resolu1 1- Locals 8. 8 and 1M. New York. OB week work.

Committee on LAW.

Reeoiotkm No. 92-Local lit. New York, endorsement of Socialist Party,
red to Committee on Reeo.

, M-LocaU 1U and 148. PhlladelpbU and New York
organlxlng shirt and boys' waist worker*. Referred to

Resolution No. 94- lx>cels 80 tnd 162. New York, on
Custom Tailors of New York and Chicago. Referred to

Resolution No. 95— Boston Joint Board, requesting organiser for
States Referred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 9«— Local 4, N«w York, on financial support to Naturalisation Aid
League. Referred to Committee on Finance.

Resolution No. 97— Local 120. Louisville, requesting a woman general organiser.
Referred to Committee on Organization.

Resolution No. 98— Locals 4. 175 and 248, New York, on financial support to the
$1.000,000 fund of the Socialist Party. Referred to Committee on Finance,

Resolution No. 99— Local 48. on financial support of Williamtburg (Brooklyn)
Labor Lyceum Referred to Committee on Finance.

Resolution No. 100— Locals 4. 7 and 142. New York, tbanks to the Contention
Arrange men ta Committee. Referred to Committee on Resolutions.

Resolution No. 101— Local 175, New York, as to financial support for the Diownj
Tiile Labor Lyceum. Referred to Committee on Finance.

Resolution No. 102— Local 152, Baltimore, providing a sinking fund of $1C4,*4».
to Committee on Finance.

No. 103— Local 12. New York, on salaries of general officers. Referred
to Committee on Law.

Resolution No. 104— Local S6, Baltimore, proponing a $5.000 fund for
purposes. Referred to Committee on Education.

Resolution No. 105 — Locals 3. 4 and 175, endorsing the American
Ileferred to Committee on Resolutions.

Delegate RABINOWIT7. of Chicago, moved that all resolutions rand.
favorably recommended by the Resolutions Committee or not. should be printed In tne

HILLMAN announced that this would be done in the final repert

Report of Credentials Committee

Delegate POTOFSKY reported for the committee as follows:

The Chairman of the Credentials Committee asked me to report In the case of
Local 54. which local has refused to let the General Office audit Its books, and Is not
paying per capita for all of its members.

The committee ruled that the question of non-payment of the per capita slow
not belong to theC redentials Committee,

The Credentials Committee recommends that the two «t*i*r*»«« from Local 54
are fully entitled to their seats on the basis of per capita paid.

In the matter of the local's refusal to have their books audited by the General
Office, the delegatese zplained that on account of the inefficiency of the former
Secretary* ttoe books were not up-to-date, and as soon as they will be, la about a
week or two. the General Office may audit their books.

The delegates also stated that they never refused to have their books audited.
but were unable to do it because of the above-mentioned reason.

The Credentials Committee decided to aloow Local 54 four weeks in which to
bring their books to the General Office for auditing purposes.

Report of the committee was accepted.

The Credentials Committee heard an appeal on behalf of
in whose case action was taken at the second

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

gate from Local ISO, with a voice but no vote. The committee decided to ask the
convention to reopen the case with the understanding that no precedent is thereby
established.

The Credentials Committee also recommended the seating of Brother I. Kessler
as delegate from Local 167. Montreal.

Delegate 6kala, member of the Credentials Committee, moved that Brother
Morrelli be seated and given a vote, without setting any precedent for the future

Delegates Arnone, Marcovltz and Gold spoke for the motion; Delegates Goodman
and Rieger spoke against It. All who spoke for giving a vote to Morrelli insisted that
it should be clearly understood that that is not to be made a precedent for the future.

The motion was carried, and session adjourned at 12.80.

UALT1MORE CONVENTION

Fifth Session.

Baltimore, Md.. Wednesday Afternoon. May 16, 1918

The Convention was called to order at 2.10 P. M.. President Hlllmaa presiding
Secretary Senloesburg read the following messages:

Boston. Mass . May 14. Hi*.

Massachusetts State Committee of the Jewish Socialist Labor Party Poalet

Zlon. representing thousands of Jewish workingmen. send greetings from the bottom of

their hearts to the convention at large. Congratulations to your leaders upon your

vements. Wish you success and hope that you stand solidly for Jewish

emancipation — emancipation of the working class.

i HA.VI/N. Secretary.

Boston. Mass . May IS. ItU.

Accept our heartiest wishes for your Third Annual Convention. May
effort in both industrial and social endeavors be crowned with success.

NT BOARD. CLOAK MAKERS* UNION OF BOSTON.

Philadelphia. Pa.. May IS. 1118.

We. the strikers of Wanamaker ft Brown, who have been locked out by the
are extending our heartiest congratulations to your Third Biennial Convention. We
are full of confidence and best spirit for our victory, knowing that your
organization is behind us.

SAMUEL KiaBMEP. Chairman. Wanamaker ft Brown.

New York. N Y . May 14. 1118.

The Wage Earners' Institute of New York City sends greetings to
assembled In convention and wishes them success in their endeavors on behalf of
organized labor. Your organization has from the very start taken an active Interest
in the education of the working people. Permit me. therefore, on behalf of tne
organizing committee to extend to you an invitation to the conference for the
education of working people to be held In New York City May 30 and 31st It Is
requested that your organization be officially represented. Will you bring this to the
of the convention.

ALEXANDER L. 3HLUGER

New York. N. Y . May II. ItlS.

In the name of the Bushlers' Branch of Local 2. New York, we congratulate you
the work you did for our membership.

LONDON.

Brooklyn, N. Y. May IS. 1118

We send our heartiest greetings and best wishes to the Third Biennial Conven-
tion, and trust that the spirit which made our organization strong and leading win
always prevail In our midst

LOCAL 72. A. C. W of A.

May 18. 1118
Our congratulations to your Third Convention. Best wishes to your future

YOUNG PROGRESSIVE CLUB.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Baltimore, Md., May 15, 1918.

May the result of your deliberation! bear the fruits at good work that will never
decay in the history of labor. Beet wishes to all delegates.

POLISH LOCAL 69, A. C. W. of A.
H. BUDACZ, Vice president ,
J. WISNIKWSKI, Secretary

New York, N. Y., May 15, 1918.

We. the employees of London's shop, send our best greetings and good wishes.
Yomr noble work of the pa*t is known. We hope you will continue it also in the future.

THE EMPLOYEES.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, May 15, 1918.

Heartiest wishes for success in all your plans for better conditions of labor.

JEWISH LABOR GAZETTE.

New York, N. Y., May 15, 1918.

We. the employees of Henry Davies, send our best greetings. Forty-four hours
•hall be our motto.

THE EMPLOYEES OF SAID SHOP.

Baltimore, Md., May 15, 1918.

The workers of Strouse & Brothers send their hearty congratulations to the
Third Biennial Convention of the A. C. W. of A. Let the forty-four-hour week be
our slogan. We send our personal greetings to President S. Hillman. Sec:
Schlosskerg and Judge Panken. We hope that this will be the most successful convention.

AIRMAN AND COMMITTEE OF STROUSE & BROS.

Brooklyn, N. Y., May 15, 1918.

Beet wishes and congratulations from the members of Local 214, A. C. W. of A.

JACOB STABINSKY, Secretary.

New York, N. Y., Ma- 15, 1918.

Accept our sincere congratulations and best wishes for a success. ul and result-
bringing convention.

CUTTERS OF SAM FINKELSTEIN.
Jacob Bloom, Chairman.

New York. May 15, 191 S.

Heartiest congratulations Third Biennial Amalgamated Convention. May onr or-
ganization thrive and prosper in the future as it did in the past.
Greetings to Manager Blumberg, of District Council, No. 3, Baltimore, Md.:

A. YELOWITZ, Secretary,
Locals 43 and 85, A. C. W. of A.

Baltimore, Md., May 15. 1918.

We. the workers of Strouse & Bros., wish to call attention of the convention to
the splendid work done in Baltimore city. Three oheers for Blumberg.

CHAIRMAN AND COMMITTEE OF STROUSE & BROS.

President HILLMAN: I shall ask the delegation to pay close attention to the
proceedings at this session. General Secretary Schlossberg will read the report of
the General Executive Board— a report that will cover the ..ctivitiea of our international
organization for the last two years. I take pleasure in calling upon Brother Schlossberg
to read the report. (Applause.)

Secretary SCHLOSSBERG: Mr. President and Delegates— This report was com-
pleted and printed this week. It reached us from the printer last night. Under these
circumstances, I am sure, you will pardon the omission of names of persons entitled
to credit for work done, and of details.

'MORE CONVENTION

Report of the General Executive Board

iir limd Biennial Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers

GREETING:

cond coi iu M May, 1916, in Rochester, N.

with • lung a forty-eight hour week for the clothing

..ivr tin- * report that your command has been carried out faithfully

•access fully, in letter and in spirit. The forty -eight hour week is now so

'irm!\ in our industry that a beginning has already been made for

•ur hour week, a real eight hour day. This distinction belongs to our

did orp.v in Toronto, Canada.

Our speedy and universal triumph in the forty-eight hour drive was no
.vie. It vitable corollary of the loyalty, militancy

iigence of our membership. It was the unavoidable outcome of that
same magnificent spirit which has enabled our organization to successfully
conduct all 01 • k during the past two years, as well as since its inception

Tin- more conspicuous than the many other

. -v by its \ cry nature, not being a part of the daily routine,
li out in greatest relief.

..u-t be remembered, however, that the past twenty-four months con-

itense battling for the rights of the workers in our industry.

Our path was w -\ ith roses, but we have always come out with flying

Through the Crisis in New York

In our report to the Second Convention we discussed the crisis then pre-

ikj in the relations between our organization and the American Clothing

s' Association in New York. Though we had hoped for a speedy

reestablishment of normal relations, the situation was growing ever

i ted for some time until the employers realised that there are

certain methods which, if applied by them against organized labor, carry

their own penalty with them.

ALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMEK

The relations between employers and employees, under the best of cir-
cumstances, are not those of a family circle or an ethical culture society.
They are the relations of two opposing sets of relentless economic interests.
When the workers are unorganized the relations and conditions arc deter-
mined in the simplest, most primitive and the most ruthless manner: The
emplover commands without giving reasons and the workers obey without

LT questions. Where the workers are < <1 they do fr

questions and the employers arc often obliged to give reasons. The «
and persistency of the compelling questions depend upon the power of the
orga: >rkers. Where the workers are organized the employers are

bound to take cognizance of their attitude in all such matters in which both
parties are mutually concerned. The great task then is the rstaMishing
of an equilibrium that would be sustained by the relative strength of the
The opposing material interests of the employers and the
workers will necessitate adjustments and readjustments. Where cffor
made in good faith to maintain said equilibrium it is possible to meet the
changing requirements of the situation as the mutual relations continue.
Our relations with the largest firms in the industry have worked out in that
manner.

In the New York situation, however, there were some factors that were
absent in the others and they made for serious complications. The most
irritating of them was the notion entertained by the employers that a Judas
to the working class would succeed where others have failed, namely to
break our organization. That notion took such hold of them that it required
i most convincing demonstration of its futility in order to disillusion them.

Our organization did all it could, without injuring the interests of its
members, to facilitate the successful working out of our agreement with
the Association, in spite of all obstacles purposely and intentionally placed in
the way, but failed.

The obstructions were made against both organizations, ours and the
employers', by the party who knew of but one policy, to artificially stir up
trouble between us and the employers so that he might be able to fish
in troubled waters. We saw the situation clearly, but any suggestion that
came from us indicating it was taken by the deluded manufacturers as a
show of "fear" on our part and they proceeded on the "old and tried" theory
that what we did not like must be good for them.

The following illustration will give an idea of the diabolic methods used
to keep both parties in hot water continuously.

One of our shop chairmen was discharged. The firm charged him with
incompetency. We had sufficient proof to show that it was a case of dis-
crimination because of union activity. The outside chairman ruled against
us. We accepted his ruling and the matter would have ended there. But
the case was reported in the manufacturers' trade paper giving the name of
the member and the cause given for his discharge. That was tantamount

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

to placing thr discharged member on the black clings naturally ran

high.

it asking us to agree to a modification of the agreement, annou:
ment was suddenly ma<l " Association to the effect that the cutters'

organization was no longer included in the agreement.

order to leave no gap in the long chain of mischief making the fol-
'•s suddenly made their appearance in the cutting rooms of the
rs of the associati* ;
"1 I-'.-: • .veek's w

is paid at the rate of time and a half
"3. This is a union cutting and trimming department.

No discrimin uitsoever, against any man belonging to a bona

fide labor 01

it was a challenge in the face of the organization announcing the em-
ployment of United Garment Workers' scabs.

In one cav --re forced to call a strike in order to »• i ruling

of the Board of Mod< to return securities of fifty dollars to each worker

a member of the association had forced his employees to pay.

Most of our difficulties arose from the fact that the employers failed to

carry out the decisions and rulings of the Board of Moderators. Nor is it to

>ndcred ere firms of all sizes, standings and calibers,

including such who were absolutely unscrupulous in their methods, were

ne agrc< ith our organization which was in all cases

and under all circumstances uniform in interests, policies and methods. The

.idc particularly difficult by the manufacturers conveniently

shifting responsibility to the contractor.

Such was the atmosphere as between us and the American Clothing Man-
ufacturers' Association at the time of the last convention.

The professional mischicfmaker, whom the Board of Moderators on one

ion correctly described as a "sinister influence", continued his old prac-

is intensely interested in discrediting and destroying the Board

of Mode: vho proved a serious obstacle in his way, inasmuch as it

n opportunity to submit facts and grievances and throw light on

prevailing conditions, even if we failed to secure redress. The exposure •

methods was most embarrassing to the "sinister and secret influence" and

could not but reflect upon his employers. We went much out < \j in

order to assist the Board of Moderators in the hope of re-establishing a

normal situation But the Board did not rise to its task and opportunity. It

•>f the "sinister influence" and permitted haelf
to be d by him. On May 25, 1916, the Board of Moderators, cor

f Dr. J. L. Magnes. Dr. Henry Moscowitz and Mr. Charles L. Bern-
heirner. announced its resignation.

The Board of Moderators was created under the agreement with the
thing Manufacturers' Association in July, 1915. The unwilling-

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

ness of the Association to carry out the provisions of the agreement and the
rulings of the Moderators nearly precipitated a general strike in January,
1916. The resignation of the Board of Moderators followed a futile attempt
on their part to revive the agreement which had been destroyed by the methods
of the Association.

In that situation we were not in the least worried about any ill i
quences to ourselves. We felt perfectly safe. We were, howe
much concerned about the possible effect on th Union, .

was d hting a :\ thousand members in New

Great efforts were made by the cloak manufacturers' association to exploit
the resignation of the Board of Moderators in order to prejudice the public
mind against labor unions generally. Fortunately all those attempts failed.

But while the cloak manufacturers did not succeed in securing any aid
and comfort for the; our

employers benefited greatly by the struggle in the cloak industry. The
magnitude of the cloak strike and the necessity of giving the strikers all the
moral and financial support po: our menil

demands for wage increases, though there was ample justification I<T it
larly in the coatmaking branch.

In the city of New York the men's clothing industry is still •linin^ly

a contracting industry. The sweat shop of old is gone, but the contractor is
still there. Our members are not in the immediate employ of the manufacturer.
The Union holds the mai.ii.'.-icturer responsible for its members' \\
working conditions, but it is from the contractor's hand that the worker* receive
their pay envelopes.

The cut-throat competition among the contractors enables the manufacturers
to force prices down to the breaking point. Where the workers are not organ-
ized, the contractor helps himself to their wages to reimburse himself so that
he is not the loser. Under such a condition the capacity for competition is
determined by the power to exploit the workers. Thus the manufacturers en-
joy the full benefit of the ruthless exploitation and bear none of the responsi-
bilities for it. When wage reductions are carried to the starvation point a
spontaneous revolt is the natural and unavoidable outcome. Many a strike in
former years was just such a desperate outbreak to which the workers were
literally driven by the pangs of hunger.

Where the workers are organized, they resist all attempts at wage reduc-
tions, and the contractors must conduct tl ^le of competition at th
pense of their own profits. But the constant and growing pressure of the
manufacturer upon the contractor must ultimately affect the workers employed
by the latter. In some cases reductions in wages are forced on the workers, in
others the contractor absconds with the entire payroll, reduced or other
The cut throat competition among the contractors, fostered and encouraged by
the manufacturers, who are the only beneficiaries of the mad scramble,
keeps the union busy collecting the hard earned wages for its members who
must also lose working time looking for new jobs.

BALTIMORE CONVENT:

We should be happy to sec the contracting system abolished. So long
as there must be employers and wage workers, we should like to see our
industry on the same basis at other large industries, the workers employed
y and immediately by the manufacturers. But while it is not within
our power to eradicate the evil, we have tried to regulate it and remove
at least its most objectionable features, make it less brutalizing for the
contractors, who are human beings like the rest of us. and less, degrading
for the workers. We have no solidarity tor as an employer,

but we are interested in his protection in so far as that means protection
for our members employed by him. Accordingly, we made our renewed
agreement with Clothing Manufacturers' Association in

:<)i6, a • -he contractors, through

their organizations, in all such matters in which they might be concerned
If the agreement had not been intended by the "sinister influences" men-
ried above to be no more than a scrap of paper, a sound machinery to
regulate conditions in the industry would have been established. As it was.
we could do no more than expound the principle, lay out the plan and
commit it to writing. It naturally remained a dead letter. The contractor
continued the old grab-as-grab-you-can system. A point was reached where
the coat contractors, who seemed to have suffered most, could stand it no longer.
They organized and instituted a lockout on August i, iqi6.

A Lockout That Brings a Wage Increase

In a letter to the New York Joint Board they stated that the lockout was
not intended against the workers. The contractors only dosed the shops in
order to secure concessions from the manufactur

The New York Joint Board immediately took hold of the situation as
far as our members were concerned. Th< n of our organi/ation was

defined substantially as follows: In the quarrel between our immediate and
mediate employers, the contractors and the manufacturers, we can not be silent
nesses >v: arc losing earnings by idleness. We cannot force you. em-

ployers, to open your shops continue our work and earn our wages.

you choose to keep them closed, but if we must lose our earnings while you arc
fighting out your own disj> serve notice on you that when you call us

back into your shops we shall return only if our wages are increased by one
dollar a week. We did not quit work to demand higher wages lest we embarrass

but now that we are forced into idleness by your

action, we take this occasion to get the increase that we should have got some
time ago.

<• lockout was c •:. When our memlM-r< returned

to the shops it was on ! .ise was general throughout the

coat ma king trade.

Relations With the Manufacturers' Association Restored
In the meantime the relations between our organization and the Ameri-
Clothing Manufacturers' Associa' -e restored. There was no

written agreement and no formal machinery for adjusting disputes, but

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

some informal modus vivcndi has grown out of the daily relation be-
tween our organization and the leading members of the association for the
adjustment of disputes as they arose.

THE MOVEMENT FOR THE 48-HOUR WEEK

The resignation of the Board of Moderators was completely forgotten.
Those who had hoped that the wide publicity given to the statement of the
Board and the antagonistic interpretation placed on it would injure the
organization found themselves bitterly disappointed. We proceeded with
our work undisturbed, calling strikes and winning them where strikes could
not be avoided, and preventing strikes where that could be done without
depriving our members of the protection and benefits due them from their
organization. We continued this routine with vigor and energy, but with
no occasion for any great demonstration of our power until the movement
began for the forty-eight hour week. The time came for the carrying out of
the mandate of the Rochester Convention.

Committees representing the New York Joint Board and the Joint Board
of the Children's Clothing Trades appeared before the General Executive
Board at its session in New York, October, 1916, and asked that we en-
dorse a movement they wished to initiate for a forty-eight hour week. The
General Executive Board promptly authorized such a movement and the
campaign opened immediately with mass meetings, literature and general
propaganda. The membership had a full opportunity to discuss all the
issues involved. They were discussed at Joint Board meetings, local meetings,
shop meetings, in the press, and they were topics for discussion wherever
our members congregated.

When the movement assumed definite form and it was clear that the
membership stood behind it as a unit, the following communication was
sent to the employers :

The undersigned has been authorized by the New York Joint Board of the Amal-
gamated Clothing Workers of America to inform you that demands have been for-
mulated by our membership for the coming season, as stated below.

The increase in the cost of living has been so great that it is impossible for our
members to meet it out of the wages they now receive. And wages are the only
•ource of income our members have.

The lowest possible increase in wages to enable our members to meet to any
appreciable extent the constantly growing prices of the necessaries of life is two
dollars per week. Our membership has decided to make that one of its principal
demands.

We also ask that the working week be reduced to forty-eight hours.

The trend of the clothing markets throughout the country is towards a forty-
eight hour week. In some cases the employers have already granted this shorter
week; in others movements and negotiations are on foot towards that end.

The rising prices on necessaries of life make an increase in wages inevitable.

The development of the methods of production makes a reduction in the working
week imperative.

Some employers in the clothing industry have already recognized the justice of
the workers' demands along these lines and conceded them.

There are also other changes in the working conditions that hare become neces-
sary and that our members ask to establish.

To sum up, the demands we submit are:

a. A minimum wage increase of two dollars per week.

b. A 48-hour week.

c. Such changes in the working conditions as are necessary.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

We submit the above to you in the hope that you the proper light

and enable us to put the changed conditions into effect for the ensuring acasom. We
hope to be able to reach a tatUfactory agreement with vou and avoid a struggle.

ike this matter up with the undersigned on or before
December i, 1916.

ALEX COHEN.

Secretary-Treasurer.
NEW YORK JOINT BOARD, A. C W. OF A.

A similar letter was sent out by the Children's Clothing Joint Board,
oards co-ofx making the movement a success throughout

The Joint Board of Children's Clothing Trades was, however, more

mted than was its sister organization, the larger body, because

of th ig week \va.s airs, while the working week

of the men's c was fifty hours. The Children's Clothing organiza-

ulso had the a- of having no such disturbing elements in its

industry as the nun's clothing organization was afflicted with. Its agreement

Associated Boys' Clothing Manufacturers worked out satisfactorily

and all matt- :her routine or demands for new conditions, were taken

v representatives of both organizations for negotiation and adjudication.

The new demands were taken up in the same manner. After a series

of conferences between our representatives and those of the Association, the

: hour week, an increase of $2 a week in the

wages of the cutters and $i a week in the wages of the tailors. That went
into effect December 12, 1916. The entering wedge for the 48 hour week
for the tailors was made without the necessity of resorting to a strike.

We conferred with the manufacturers in the men's clothing in-

hopc of avoiding there too, but that proved an impossibility.

After a number of conferences this final compromise offer was made

to us on Decemlxr 4th, 1916: 'A wage increase of one dollar a week;

a forty-nine hour working week imme<! nd a forty-eight hour week

in June, 1917. The proposition was submitted to representatives of our

membership at a special joint meeting of the New York Joint Board and the

• • Committees of all of its affiliated locals on December 5th. The

compromise on the working hours was unanimously rejected, and this action was

'•'.i* general membership at about twenty monster mass meetings

held in the afternoon of December 'h a unanimity that denoted inflexible

determination.

The memory of those meetings will forever remain green with those who
had the privilege of witnessing them.

'iraries have been filled with hooks on both sides of the Labor Ques-
Speeches without number have been made hi support of and in oppo-
stion to the Labor Movement. But none of those books and speeches can
give the student such a deep insight into the great Social Problem as meet-
ings such as those. The non-diplomatic and unsophisticated but straight-
forward and genuinely human arguments of those sons of toil who came

«7

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

directly from the workshop to attend the parliament of their industry reveal
the true soul of the modern and intelligently organized proletariat. It is
at such meetings that one can see industrial democracy in the making.
Books may be a chronicle of events or an interpretation of them. But our
meetings show the events as they occur, in their actual social, ethical and
psychological settings and the moral forces guiding them. This is not
meant to detract from the value of books and book education. On the con-
trary, we hope to see the workers read and study ever more. But with
the growth of the intelligent labor movement, books alone do not cover all
the ground. Happy is he who can supplement his book study with actual
touch with the class struggle and vice versa.

The meetings through which the masses who carry the industry on
their backs were legislating for their industry demonstrated courage and
intelligence which were truly inspiring.

The Argument For the Forty-Eight Hour Week

The stock argument usually advanced in favor of the forty-eight hour
week is that a worker can produce more under it than under a longer
working week. In short, it pays the employer. A workingman less
fatigued will produce more than a workingman more fatigued. But the
moment that argument is translated into terms of money it can appeal
to the employer only. In this particular instance the worker is interested
in the matter of fatigue, not in dollars and cents, just as the employer is
interested in money, which is his, and not in fatigue, which is the worker's.
If in any case the employer should succeed in disproving the contention
that a shorter working day means more production the woncer has no leg
to stand on. Compare that shorter-work-day-and-more-production argur
ment with the following point made at the joint meeting that rejected the
compromise, made by a man who came to the meeting straight from the
ironing board. He said : "When this war is over, our unfortunate
fellow humans now suffering in the war stricken countries on the other
side of the ocean will come here in search of their livelihood. We want to
provide now so that when they come here they may find an opportunity to
work and honestly and dignifiedly earn their bread and butter. By reducing
our working week by two hours we will enable many of them to find em-
ployment alongside of us. We may not be able to do it then, but we can
do it now. We cannot do more, but this much we can and must do."

Of course that was not the only argument. Nor was it one that was
based on an immediate economic cause, which is always the compelling
cause. But while the former argument reveals the tool and commodity
status of the worker, which is his present status, the latter argument dis-
closes the beauty of the human soul in the worker, his striving to a human
status, to a condition where the worker will be a human being in full stature
and not a flesh and blood machine, more often a skin and bone machine,
for the production of goods and profits.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

The underlying economic cause for the demand for a shorter working
week was the same in our case as in the case of all other organized workers :
not less fatigue in order to produce more, but less exacting toil in order to
live more, better and happier.

The case for the forty-eight hour week was defined in our press when
the great struggle in New York was imminent, and may well be reproduced
here.

It was as follows:

Twenty-seven years ago the first International Socialist Congress called
upon the workers to fight for an eight hour working day and dedicated to
that struggle a special labor day, the First of May. At that time and for
a Ion eafter, t v.mrnt of the eight hour working day was

looked upon as an ideal which would probably be realized some day in the
very distant future. Since 1889, however, large numbers of workers havt
(1 the eight hour day and it has ceased to be a dream.
blic opinion, which is always timid and the last to abandon old tradi-
. now also sanctions the eight hour day.

Our own industry, too. last reached the eight hour day stage.

With us it is still a forty-eight hour week. Years ago an eight houi
day did mean a forty-eight hour week. But the Saturday half holiday if
becoming a universal custom, and a real eight hour day now means forty-
four hours a week.

In the clothing industry, particularly in New York, where there was
practically no limitation to the working time a few years ago, except physical
endurance, the introduction of the fifty hour week was a radical revolution.
But we have passed that stage and arc now entering the era of the universal
forty-eight hour week for the entire indust

Why a forty-eight hour week?

Some say t are lazy, that we do not wish to work more and earn

more. Others say that the workers arc not interested in the shorter hours,
that the agitation of the leaders alone is responsible for the issue having
been raised.

But the situation is such that it calls to us: You will either reduce your
working time or your lives !

The technical development in the clothing industry has been quite rapid
of late. While improved machinery and division of labor make it easy to
learn a given operation, they also make work so much more intense and
exacting.

One does not exert himself to the same extent while making a complete
garment as he docs while working constantly at one and the same operation.

The mechanic who made a complete garment was naturally fatigued aftei

c hours of continuous toil. But in the course of those ten or

twelve hours he was obliged to pass from one operation to another, which

afforded him some measure of relief. Also, his personal interest in construct-

•lie garment helped to sustain the master mechanic in his hard work

AMALGAMATED CLOTH INC WORKERS OF AMERICA

The worker who is always making one small part of the garment has no
occasion to move from one operation to another. His work is monotonous,
tedious and, because of that, exceedingly burdensome.

There is also another factor adding to the hardships of the modern cloth-
ing worker, i. c., the neckbreaking speed. The full-fledged tailor, making th<>

re garment, must keep pace with himself only. If he is slower lu earns
less; if he is faster he makes more. He can work side by side with a slower
or faster neighbor without hampering or being hampered.

It is different, however, with the clothing worker of to-day, who is only
a cog in the huge wheel of the modern process of labor. He who performs
only one operation finds his work more exacting not only because of the mo-
notony and lack of mental interest, but also because he must maintain a constant
race with the worker that "feeds" him, whose operation precedes his, and also
with the one that is "fed" by him, whose operation follows his. They, in
turn, are situated exactly as he is. Unless he keeps fully apace with them, and
they with the others, the labor process will be disrupted and production demo-
ralized. The greater the division of labor the more monotonous the work
and the higher the speed and the strain.

Under such conditions human strength must be quickly exhausted. Under
the system in vogue in the olden days tailors, though working hard, lived
to an advanced age. Under the modern system that is impossible. We only
age quickly, even as we do our work speedily, much ahead of time. It being
impossible to abolish the health wrecking and life destroying system, in-
creased rest becomes a most vital matter. Accordingly, there is but one remedy
in sight: Reducing the working time. Two hours more freedom from such
strenuous toil literally means two hours more life.

There is still another factor to be reckoned with.

The worker earns approximately as much as he needs for his sustenance.
His earnings may fluctuate from time to time, but they always tend to th»-
irreducible minimum without which the worker cannot sustain himself and
his family. His earnings are what they are at a given time, regardless of
the standard working time. A fifty-four hour standard week does not in-
crease earnings and a forty-eight hour standard week does not reduce them.
On the contrary, for obvious reasons, the shorter working week makes for
higher earnings, for their greater stability and for an advanced standard of
living, which in turn raises the irreducible minimum. In a word, the modern
labor process in the clothing industry has compelled the clothing worker to
fight for a forty-eight hour week in order to conserve both his health and 1
earnings and all that they mean for general human happiness. He must raise
his standard ever higher or it will be forced down ever lower.

The above statement of the situation establishes the foundation under-
lying our forty-eight hour movement in particular, and all movemens for
improved conditions in general. It is clear that the movement for the shorter
working week was no whim or caprice. It was a compellling necessity.

It will be easy to understand now why our members rejected the com-

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

promise offered them. The resolution which we herewith reproduce, rejecting
>cs willingness to compromise in the matter of wages but
not in the matter of working hours.

un as adopted at the joint meeting of the New York

Hoar, and unanimously approved by the sub-

sequent mass meeting, was as follows:

- the member ,,f ihc .\vw York Joint Board and of the loc >m-

aigamated ( of America, assembled in Forward

.trd the report of our officers, who had cor.

irers. to the effect that the latter have
of one dollar a v%eck *ages, a reduction of one bow

of one hour in June, 1917.

.ally declare that we consider the forty-eiRht hour week at the most
- meant in order to afford some relief to the workers in our
n« strain they are beinjf subjected to by the increasing sp-

Muitry have already achieved the forty -eight hour
se who have not si >< »'«»r it with reli«iout enthusiasm.

* organic ~* York, feel that

by procla - i* immc«!: - >lUhment of the forty-eight

•!ly and conscientiously represent our fellow workers. The

our organized power make* it pot-

the banner of \\\* rk and pledge ourselves

to carry it on >erured, without a fight if possible, with a fight

•etsary.

We herewith authorise our officials to do all that they may deem fit in order to
enfor, - r of this declaration and to negotiate with our employers on all

other demands submitted by us.

All further conference'; with the employers proved fruitless. They were
inflexible in their opposition to the forty-eight hour week. A strike became
•idablc.

Children's Clothing Workers Win Forty-eight Hour Week

During all that time the children's clothing workers' organization was in
conference with the Association of their employers. On December I2th, by
agreement between our organization and the Associated Boys' Clothing Manu-
facturers, the for hour week became the law of the Children's Cloth-
ing Industry, to take effect December 25th. Strikes were declared against
such independent firms as had refused to abide by that very important piece
lustrial legislation. The strikes were of short duration and the new
working week became an accomplished fact for the entire boys' clothing in-
y before the New Year began.

General Strike in the Men's Clothing Industry

December i3th, the morrow after the forty-eight hour week was granted
to th- . saw the beginning of the general strike of

Mien's clothing work*

:kc better organized and more efficiently conducted. That

was also t general strike of clothing workers in New York that was

not a sp ak of starved slaves driven to desperation by their

n'on did not plead the members' poverty as justification for

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF iICA

the strike and did not appeal to pity and charity. On the contrary, it proudly
announced that the workers by their organized power wire well able to
take care of their fundamental wants, which alone caused strikes in former
years, but that the time had come for the workers to strike for the satisfac-
tion of the higher human wants; to strike not only for a living but for a
better and happier It:

No sooner was the strike proclaimed, and no sooner did the workers leave
the shops, than the American Clothing Manufacturers' Association announced
through the public press an agreement with the scab agency known as t In-
United Garment Workers of America, which We reproduce here for the
amusement of our members and the historian. The treacherous nature of the
document speaks for itself and requires no comment from us.

The "agreement

I. The hours of labor shall be 48 hours a week in the cutting depart-
ment, and 50 hours a week in the tailoring departments. On June I, 1917, at
the complete conclusion of the spring season, the working hours shall be 49
hours per week in the tailoring shops, and at the beginning of the following
spring season, not later than December 25, 1917, the working hours in the
tailoring shops shall constitute 48 hours per week.

II. Increase in Wages: The Association, in order to carry out in detail
its pledge for the third increase during the year 1916, to all workers in the
clothing trade, regardless of union or non-union, hereby reaffirms:

A. That all employees in the cutting department will receive an increase
in wages — i. e., a minimum of $i and a maximum of $2, beginning with
the week of December 18.

B. That all such tailors working for members of this association
directly, will receive an additional increase in their wages beginning
December 18, a minimum of $i and a maximum of $2.

C. That all the members of the American Clothing Manufacturers'
Association will advance on all contract work sent to their respective shops,
from December 18, an increase of a minimum of 10 per cent and a maximum
of twelve per cent for the purpose of enabling them to grant an increase
to their respective workers, union or non-union, a minimum of $i and a
maximum of $2 per week.

III. Status of the Union: The American Clothing Manufacturers' Associa-
tion will give preference in employment to members of the United Garment
Workers of America. In turn the United Garment Workers of America will
not discriminate against any employee who may be affiliated with another organ-
ization, or refuse to join any organization.

IV. Adjustment of Disputes: The parties hereby constitute a Committee
of Two — one representing each side, as hereinafter provided, to be regarded
as a permanent standing committee, whose duties it shall be to adjust all matters
of dispute that may arise between members of the association and the union.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

V. Should the Committee of Two fail to agree on tome specific case,
the matter shall be referred to a committee on immediate action as her*
.ifi.-r JT <Aided for settlement.

VI. Immediate Action: A committee on Immediate Action, consist-
ing of three representatives of each side, with an impartial chairman, shall
be selected. Said committee on Immediate Action may be called by either
wembrr of the l< of the latter'* disagree-
ment on the disputes in question.

•• agreed that pending the adjustment of disputes through the
machinery provided for in this agreement, there shall be no strike or lock-
out by the parties thereto.

VII. The parties hereby agree to create within 60 days a council of
Moderators who shall be chosen as follows:

A. On the part of the Union, an official of the American Federation
of Labor.

B. On mfacturers, a representative employer
from the Chamber of Commerce or the Merchants' Association.

C. One who shall be chosen by the first named two individuals.
The Board of Moderators shall act on an official appeal from the com-
mittee on Immediate Action on such matters where they have failed to
agree and their decision shall be final with no appeal from it.

VIII. It is mutually agreed that the parties to this agreement

cor iin f,n committee on revision, consisting of three

representatives of each side whose duties it shall be to study the develop-
ments of trade and trade conditions, etc., and from time to time submit
their reports to both organizations for such revisions of this agreement, as
may be to the best interests of all concerned.

IX. This agreement shall continue at least until January i, 1918.

X. No later than three months prior to the expiration of this agree-
ment, representatives of the association and union shall meet in conference
to consider the question of its renewal or modification.

The expected stampede of the s1 Sack to the factories as a result

of the "agreement" did not materialize. On the contrary, the injection of

blc scab crew served to fire still more the enthusiasm of the

Mrik< hing was at all lacking in order to raise the strikers' ardor

ic highest degree, that "agreement" filled the gap admirably.

The elements opposing us in that memorable struggle were more than

!ly savage and brutal. The guerillas, police, private detectives and pro-
fessional strikebreakers are no strangers to the clothing workers, and in this
case they were extraordinarily ruthless. But the fight was continued in the
tooth of all opposition, prosecution and persecution.

Immediately before calling the strike \\v addressed the following letter to
Police Commissioner Woods:

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Arthur Woods, Esq.,

I'olicc Commissioner, Dec. 9, 1916.

New Vorl;. X. V.
Dear Sir: —

Sixty thousand men and women in the men's and children's clothing industry of
Greater N< w York may be called on strike next week. They have voted to demand
a 48-hour week and a wage increase of $2.00 a week to meet the increased cost of
living. It is our wish that this general strike, if it be called, be free from disorder
kind. In the past strikes manufacturers have recruited private armies of
gangsters from notorious strikebreaking agencies to terrorize our pick n and

women have been attacked near struck factories by these gangsters while in the
lawful exercise of their rights.

Unfortunately the police have not co-operated with us in our efforts to maintain
peace during past strikes. The attitude of you and the department we know is neu-
tral But there arc a number of policemen who have no sympathy with organized
labor. Instead they arc partial to the gangsters and the scabs and strikebreakers.
The manufacturers win the friendship of these policemen by providing them with
lunches in their buildings and doing other favors for them while they are on duty.

Such favoritism would not be tolerated by you if you were aware of it, so we are
asking that you issue a special order to the police of the city to be neutral in this
contest. We know that we will win out without one act of disorder or violence,
worker has been warned to obey the orders of the general strike and picketing
committees. If the police will do the same there will be no complaint against either
party in the strike.

Private armies of big corporations always cause trouble, as we have seen in
Colorado, Bayonne, West Virginia, Michigan and other places of extensive strikers.
If such can be kept from this strike we promise you the police will have no difficulty
in preserving order.

Respectfully yours,

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA.
(Signed) SIDNEY HILLMAN, General President,

JOSEPH SCHLOSSBERG, General Secretary.

Woods was reputed to be a liberal minded official. He probably wished
to see us get a square deal. But in a conflict between capital and labor
he could not be stronger than the "system" and we received our full
measure of police "attention."

Our fellow workers in other industries took a deep interest in our great
struggle. The following correspondence will serve as an illustration of the
fraternal spirit shown by them.

New York, Dec. 18, 1916.
General Strike Committee,

Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,

32 Union Square. New York City.
Greetings: —

Your present fight for better conditions and humane treatment is the chief topic
of discussion by the civilized and modern workers of America. Our Joint Board
was with you at all events whenever you fought for better conditions, which arc the
fundamental principles of the human race. We realize that we arc in duty bound to
be with you at the present time because your fight is our fight, and your victory is our
victory. The cloakmakers recall the attack on them last summer by their enemies
and the attitude taken by you and your members in the factories in their struggle.

There was a time when the Jewish and Italian workers were submissive and
devoted to all promises of the employers and ignored the labor agitator who is the
yeast of human progress and nature. A change took place. Economic suppr
caused the workers to become organized and not to be dependent upon the mercy
of the employers. The struggle for economic freedom will not cease as long as the
worker will be deprived of the necessities of life. No doubt in your present fight,
there will be no sect and the Italian and Jewish brothers will not be captured by
traitors and spies who are paid by the employers and who have the task of con-
signing the workers to dark, cheerless and comfortless homes.

The cloakmakers are again with you in your grave hour and you may expect the
moral as well as the financial support of our Union to its largest extent.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

\Vc trust and hope that unity and folidarity will prevail amongst your workers
and that you will come c a* in the present fight, which is for a higher

standard of human living.

JOINT BOARD °CLOATcTKDy SKIRT MAKERS* UNIO

.ed) LOUIS LANCER, Secretary

.< Lanfer, Sec'y, New York. Dec. 19. 1916.

Joint Board Cloak and Skin Makers Union.

40 East New York i

Dear Sir and Brother:—

Your letter of December 18th, extending to our striking members the greetings
r» of the Cloakmakers* Union and the offer of financial and moral
support, was r • !.»> Its publication will be received by our members with

pride and happiness.

are all proud of the great Cloakmakers' Union, of its magnificent record as a

:.t body of organized workers, of it« readiness to defend the interests of its

icmbcrs and lend a helping hand to other members of the working class in their

battles with capitalism. We are happy over the fact thaj this great body of labor

.tnd shares with us our joys and our sorrows )ust as we share theirs

. ver entertained any doubt at to the feelings of the great many

of organized cloakmakers about the mighty struggle that we are now engaged in.

It that we can depend upon your fullest support in the event it

should become necessary. Your letter strengthens our confidence still more and raise*

our •>

We feel that the progressive labor movement, of which you and we are important
factors, is no sordid, materialistic affair for selfish purposes, but that we are ali
working jointly in the interests of our class as a whole, extending our help wherevet

rvcn if outside of our immediate rank*.

all feel that our cause is one and that whether we are fighting as cloak
workers against cloak manufacturers, or as clothing workers against clothing manu-
facturers. \\e are all fighting for working class interests, for the elevation of our
t such and against the oppression of the capitalistic class as such.

have always felt that any success achieved by you must naturally redound
to our benefit and vice versa. Your present message to us is new proof of the fact
that vou feel and strive with us for the same purpose.

c fight now conducted by us is for a great principle, to make the life of the

worker worth living. The establishment of the 48-hour week, which is our principal

.ill be an important step in that direction. Our victory in this struggle will.

as of necessity it must, strengthen your hands in improving your working condi-

t us take this occasion to assure yo6 that when our members contributed
many thousands of dollars to the support of your strike last summer, it was done
of happiness, affection and true brotherly love, with a feeling also that
cloakmakers' and the organized clothing workers are one.

that we belong to you and you belong to us. We hope that a
time will come when, instead of a number of separate international organizations,
there will be one great powerful and all embracing body of needle workers.

Thanking you in behalf of our striking members in New York and our member-
ship generally, I am.

Fraternally yours,

(Signed) JOSEPH SCHLOSSBERG.

General Secretary.
AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA.

With all the workers out, with all the nationalities standing together as
a unit, and led by a powerful organization, the outcome of the gigantic
gle was never in doubt.

Proud of their organization and convinced of the justice of their Cause
and its ultimate triumph, our members fought like Trojans in spite of the tre-
mendous obstacles.

At the end of the second week of the struggle we received the fol-
lowing lett'

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

New York, December 28, 1916.
Mr. Max Friedman, Chairman of Labor Committee.

American Clothing Manufacturers' Association, and
Mr. Sidney Hillman, President

Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
Dear

As citizens deeply interested in the peaceful solution of industrial conflicts,
primarily and possible, by a full and frank conference of the parties imme-

diately "intere-te.!. we take thr - of offering to you but a single suggestion
towards the settlement of the pending strike in the men's clothing trade.

- make the suggestion because experience has shown the difficulty of the par-
tics themselves gf . «-thrr without interposition of a third i-crs-m; r;u •:•
is restrained lest its initiative seem a sign of weakness. And thus the very difficulty
of meeting engenders new conflicts.

We therefore tender to you our services in arranging a meeting of both I
in bringing you together lor a joint o - .in the confident hope that a frank

ssion by you of the differences between the two sides will enable you, alone or
such outside aid as may be mutually agreeable to you, to end the strike and
bring about a just and lasting peace.

We suggest an immediate answer so that the meeting may be arranged before
car ends.

Very respectfully yours,

(Signed) JULIAN W. MACK,

Address: WILLIAM O. THOMPSON.

Care of Association of Bar,
42 West 44th Street.

We accepted the offer of Judge Mack and Mr. Thompson. The American
Clothing Manufacturers' Association did likewise in spite of the "agreement"
with the scab agency, having realized that we were determined not to be
beaten.

The conferences were held on December 3Oth, 1916, with the Judas
Iscariot previously mentioned eliminated, and resulted in the following under-
standing :

The universal forty-eight hour week to go into effect January 22; $2 in-
crease in the weekly wages to the cutters and $1 increase to the tailors to
to go into effect immediately.

The terms of settlement were accepted by the General Strike Committee
and unanimously ratified by as many and as enthusiastic mass meetings of
our membership as had rejected the forty-nine hour proposition.

On January 22, 1917, the clothing industry in New York City became
firmly and definitely established on the forty-eight hour basis.

It was a remarkable coincidence that the revolutionary change in our in-
dustry, that enlargement of freedom for our members should occur on a
date which is a red letter day in the history of Freedom, January 22 being
the anniversary of the Russian Red Sunday of 1905.

Whoever has had the privilege of watching the clothing workers emerge
from the black plague of sweat shopism with its unlimited hours, overlimited
wages, complete absence of rights and hopes, as a compact and intelligently
organized body, steadily gaining ground, always asserting their rights, and
raising themselves to an ever higher standard of life, has seen the best
demonstration of the disinherited proletariat coming into its own, and must
find his faith in the emancipation of the working class confirmed and
strengthened.

T«

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

We feel that we arc justified in proudly emphasizing the fact that our
great New York strike of nearly sixty thousand workers was financed
throughout by ourstl m funds raised by our own members, without

the need of calling upon our fellow workers in other organizations for as-
out even the need of asking the help of the other local unions
in our own International. That, too, was the first instance of its kind in
the history of clothing workers' strikes in this cour.

c New York strike was followed by movements in other clothing 0
ters for the forty-eight hour week which were crowned with success all
along the line. In some cases strikes were necessary ; in others they were not.

The New York Call

It may not be amiss at this juncture to record the fact that under its
former editorship the "New York Call" had persistently opposed our organi-
zation, even to the extent of suppressing the news of the historic class
struggles under our banner in Chicago and in Baltimore, though we had
upport of the Socialist Party in both cases. During the forty-«ight
hour strike in New York the then editor of the "Call" took every opportunity
to try to stab us in the back and he brazenly encouraged scabbing upon
the "agreement" with the scab agency. The members of the So-
cialist Party finally rose in resentment against the outrageous conduct of
the editor and forced a working class attitude of the paper towards our or-
ganization The making of the "Call" what it was intended to be, a clear cut
working class paper, has created an atmosphere in which the non-socialist
Editor could not thrive. He has since come out in his true colors, as a
vilifuT and defamer of the socialist movement in the interests of the reaction-
ary powers of the country. Since Comrade Charles Erwin has been placed
at the helm of the "Call," the paper has consistently and faithfully championed
our cause to our mutual benefit.

BALTIMORE THE OLD BATTLEGROUND

Two years ago we reported to the Rochester convention the con-
spiracy formed against us by the A. F. of L.-I. W. W. hybrid in Baltimore.
The wonderful fipht then conducted by our organization in that city is still
fresh in our memory. We have made giant strides in Baltimore since then.
will be happy to know that we arc now meeting in a city where the
clothing industry is nearly one hundred per cent, organized under our ban-
where the forty-eight hour week has been made universal for all our
members since our last convention, and where our members have received
substantial increases in their wages. But while the result achieved
gladdening and inspiring, the road we had to travel in order to arrive where

now are was far from inviting.

A famous General in our Civil War said that "war is hell." If he had
had in mind the war forced on us by the A. F. of L. and I. W. W. com-
bination in Baltimore in the years 1916-17 he could not have given a more

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

correct description of it. That war was literally an inferno. We emerged
from it strong, powerful and in full command of the situation; the con-
spirators remained there never to come again.

Before the last convention it was at the Grcif factory that the conspira-
tors had concentrated their forces against us. Since that convention they
attempted to execute their nefarious schemes against our members at the
Strouse & Bros/ factory. If the history of the labor misleaders in America will
ever be written, their crimes against the clothing workers in Baltimore will
bo among the blackest acts of treason committed by them against the work-
ing cla

The Baltimore "Public Ownership" of July 15, 1916, official organ of the
Socialist Party of Baltimore. M<1., contains the following account of the Strouse
affair, written by a member of our organization. We reproduce it here in full,
headings, text and all: —

"THE TRUE STORY OF THE GREAT STROUSE STRIKE
"Another Chapter in the History of the Notorious Strikebreakers Ferguson,

Cohen and Gordon

^DERATION PRESIDENT ADVISES SLUGGING DONE AWAY
FROM STROUSE FACTORY. BY A MEMBER OF AMALGAMATED

"Since the Greif strike, the I. W. W. who consistently scabbed during
that time, have allied themselves, body and soul, with the Gordon and Fergu-
son combination. The purpose in view is to destroy that splendid organiza-
tion, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, the organization which
in the past two years has been successful in obtaining shorter hours and an
increase in wages in all of the clothing centers in the United States.

"The Amalgamated Clothing Workers' organization has always opposed
sub-contracting, a system wherein one worker has charge of an operation
ai'd exploits those working under him. It permits one man to employ helpers
at a low wage from whose labors he reaps a big profit. Thus, the helper
who may be just as good a mechanic as the sub-contractor, earns $15,00 a
week, while the sub-contractor who does no more work than the helper, is earning
from $40.00 to 50.00. a week.

"I. W. W. Favors Sub- Contracting

"This system is ENCOURAGED by the I. W. W.. and is in effect in the
few coat shops that they control.

"On Thursday, June 23, the Amalgamated shop committee of Strouse &
Bros, waited upon the firm and insisted that sub-contracting be abolished
in the shop. The firm agreed and submitted to the shop committee two
propositions, one an increase in the price of the pocket from 13% cents to
14 cents, on a piece work basis, or an increase of $2.00 each to all of the helpers
on a week work basis.

"The helpers were content with the concessions obtained by the com-
mittee but the sub-contractors were dissatisfied. The sub-contractors de-

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

clarcd to the committee when they left the office of the firm that they would
be c<> work (or 13% cents per pocket instead of 14 cents, which was

one-half cent less than the committee had obtained, provided the shop would
agree to the maintenance of the sob-contracting system.

" Profits Gone; Join I. W. W.

The coi ised this offer and these two sub-contratcors, who

belonged to the Amalgamated, joined the I. W. W. and persuaded the majority
of their helpers, who arc the -ir blood relations, to go out on an individual
iting the other workers in the shop. And the sad fact
t* recorded that these foolish helpers, whose wages under the new arrange-
ments were increased from 25 per cent to 30 per cent, permitted themselves
to be misled.

Monday, June 27, at 9 A. M., a shop meeting of all the workers in Strouse's
shop was held at Fisher's Hall to hear the report of the committee. The com-
mented t<> tlu- shop meeting tiu- final concession won from the firm,
which was an increase from 13% cents to 14 cents per pocket or a $2.00 raise

After a lengthy discussion by mem-
bers of both organizations, the I. W. W., about 75 in number, left the hall
before the vote was taken. Of the 700 workers who remained in the hall, only
•lie proposition submitted by the committee.

•'Illegal Strike Called

"Soon after the meeting the people returned to work but the pocket
makers remained out. The next day, Tuesday, at 2 o'clock, the workers foresee-
ing t! < *t of the work would be tied up, those working on other operations
1 to make pock p going. At this action the
members of the I. W. \Y. walked out.

"Shortly after the walkout the notorious strikebreaker, John Ferguson,
and Abe Gordon, organizer for ti '<*d Garment Workers, called out the

-s in support of the I. W. \V. This may seem strange company for Fergu-
son to those who remember his former condemnation of fthe I. W. W.. and one
worn! >hind his affiliation with them. Whatever it is, it is not for

the welfare of the workers.

' ' Ferguson Directs Strike

"Tin- Strike' today --d by Ferguson, representing the A. F. of L.,

Cord- organizer of tl 1 Garment Workers, and Doree, organ-

izer . W., and to verify this we attach an affidavit to the end of this

!£ned by one who was present the first day at the secret committee of
the I. W. W. and the cutters.

'The public can judge from this affidavit that this strike was called for
the one purpose to protect the two sub-contractors who had joined the I.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

W. W. with the sole purpose in view to attempt to destroy the Amalgamated
Clothing Workers of America in Strouse's building.

THE AFFIDAVIT

"Affidavit of \ Sala. which proves that John Ferguson advised the

slugging of members of the Amalgamated.

"STATE OF MARYLAND, CITY OF BALTIMORE, to wit

'Vincent Sala, being duly sworn, deposes and says: That he is a w<
man in the pocket department at Strouse Brothers where the pocket mak-
ers went out on a strike on the 27th day of June, 1916. A committee was
appointed by the strikers, of which committee I was one, to go to the office
of Abe Gordon, a representative of the United Garment Workers of Ani< r
in the Emerson Tower Building, on the seventh floor, to inform him that
the I. W. W. went on a strike. The committee, including myself, went to
the office, where we met John H. Ferguson, Abe Gordon and Abe Cohen and
informed them that the I. W. W. went out on a strike at Strouse Bros. Mr.
Ferguson immediately signalled to the cutters' floor in/ Strouse's Building,
which faces the office of the United Garment Workers of America, and im-
mediately the cutters walked out.

"After the walkout, they held a meeting and decided to stick to the I. W.
W. until the I. W. W. got what they asked for.

"After the cutters were through with their meeting Ferguson, Gordon
and Cohen appeared at the Tailors' I. W. W. conference in Barrie's Hall,
Barre iStreet, at about 5 145 P.M.

"There Ferguson said that he had been waiting for this chance for some
time and that every move made in that shop was reported to him by a spy
who supplied him with all the news. He further said that the chance has now
come, and that he will fight and fight, until the shop goes back as one organiza-
tion; he also said that this is no more a question affecting the pocket makers
but is a matter of driving out the so-called Amalgamated Clothing Workers
from the Strouse shop.

"It was then decided to have a secret conference to outline a plan for
future action as to the future conduct of the strikers. The secret meeting
was held on the next day, Wednesday, June 8, about 2:10 P.M., at the office
of the United Garment Workers, Emerson Tower Building, seventh floor.

"The second man to speak was Gordon. He stated that this present fight
is going to be the last fight for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,
and if the United Garment Workers' strikers and the I. W. W. tailors were
not enough — at this point Ferguson interrupted and said: he would get two
hundred or three hundred of the husky guys of the Brewery Workers' Union
to beat the heads off the Amalgamated Clothing Workers' members, just like
they beat them down at Lombard Street, during the Greif strike.

"It was arranged that circulars be distributed inviting those people belong-
ing to the Amalgamated to join their ranks, and it was then said that against

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

those who refused to come out with them by Saturday, they would start,
on Monday, a rough house.

hen said, '1C you want to get anybody, don't get them near
the shop but slug them away from the place so that nothing should be known
that the slugging was connected with the I. W. W. or Cutters' Union '

•VINCENT SA

"AFFIANT.
"Subscribed and sworn to before me this 6th day of July, 1916.

' JAMES D. BECKER,
"Notary Publ:

This may be supplemented by the following report in the New York
"\\Vrkly IVuplr" of Augu 1916, official organ of the Socialist Labor

"The Greif strike in Baltimore is having its sequel — a sequel written in
violence and bloodshed.

"Gencralled by John F. Ferguson, notorious strikebreaker and scab-herder,
president of the Baltimore Federation of Labor and labor lieutenant of the
capitali sts of Baltimore, there has been organized in Baltimore an

association of gangsters who hesitate not at assassination to achieve their ne fa-
Is. The name given to this body composed of gunrr.en, stilettomen and
blackjack thugs, is "The I :nent Committee - composed of men

affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and the Bummery Industrial
Workers of the World. The leaders of these two organizations have co-ordi-
nated their activities and efforts to attempt to crush out by violence, intimidation
and assassination, when necessary to their purpose, any organization of work-
ing people that refuses to submit to their domination in the interest of the
employing class.

"Amalgamated Workers Assaulted

:ng the past seven weeks, particularly, they they have conducted a cam-
paign of violence, attempted murder and terrorism against the Baltimore
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. Within this period there have
been not less than ten mass attacks in force upon groups of Amalgamated
members going to and returning from their work and innumerable individual
attempts made to assassinate members of this body of workers. Several per-
sons have been shot, a number stabbed, several blackjacked, and others dis-
abled by stones, brickbats, and clubs. The police ambulance has been kept
busy carrying the wounded to hospitals and others to the police stations.

nee the beginning of the strike at St rouse's on June 27 the police

have been making special efforts to prevent clashes on the street between

Amalgamated and the Fedcration-Bummery. Mass attacks by the latter

have been made on groups of the Amalgamated in the presence of squads of

police officers.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF VMKIUCA
"Blackjack and Stiletto Used

•is at assavsinatiun an* made upon Amalgamated mem-
bers wherever they are found on the street. Two of the latest of these out-
rages happened on crowded business thoroughfares of Baltimore on last Thurs-
.n Blumberg, secretary-manager of District Council No.
3, A. C. W. of A . \va> approached from behind at Front and Fayette Streets
and blackjacked into insensibility and is now confined to his home as a result.

"The other dastardly attempt at Baltimore and Howard Street on the same
evening was witnessed by your correspondent. An Amalgamated cutter walk-
ing on the street was stealthily approached and repeatedly stabbed with a
stiletto by an Italian of the Bummery. The blood spurted, and with a cry he
sank to the pavement. Probably fifty persons saw the act. Thinking he had
killed his man the Bummeryite started to run, and nobody interfering with him
he slowed his pace to a deliberate walk. In a few minutes he was arrested.

"These are two examples of what has been happening in Baltimore right
along, almost daily, for weeks. The newspapers make no mention of these
outrages. Such stories as they print from time to time are inspired by the
element of which Ferguson and his accomplices are the leaders.

"Threatened with Death

"Here is a copy of a letter received by J. Friedman, a member of the
Amalgamated. Friedman spent some years in South America and speaks
Italian fluently. Italians of the Bummery thought he was an Italian. Not
long ago an Italian of the Bummery approached him and demanded of him
that he leave the Amalgamated and join the Bummery. He refused and gave
good reasons for doing so. The letter received by him is as follows :

"Baltimore, Md., July 24, 1916.
Friedman,
"'103 Eagle Street,

' 'You are written down on our books as a dead man if you don't stop work,
n, Friedman, you dirty scab from South America, if you keep it up I
will catch you — if not today I will get you tomorrow. I tell you to stop, for
it will be better for you.

" 'Committee, I. W. W.

"This note of warning was written on mourning note paper (with black
border) and enclosed in a black-bordered envelope. There is no question that
the dastardly anonymous writer was a member of the 'Entertainment Com-
mittee* and meant exactly what he said in the letter.

"Attack on Amalgamated Headquarters

"Last week the A. F. of L.-Bummery crowd made a mass attempt to enter
and wreck the headquarters of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers, 108 N.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

This was f rostra ' •. vigorous defense, the police taking

A number of shots were fired m the melee, clubs were used, and stones

and brickbats thrown. One of the attacking party was shot, and others also

were made hospital cases. An Amalgamated roan was charged with firing

that wounded a bystander, and summarily sentenced to eighteen months

in prison. Baltimore police justice courts have power to sentence a prisoner

for five years.

"In thr newspaper stories the Amalgamated people are invariably referred
to as 'strikebreakers'; the A. F. of L.-Bummery as 'strikers.' The capitalist
newspapers simply will not use proper words to tell the real facts. This is
because they allow themselves to be dominated by Ferguson, his fellow con-
spirators of the A. F. of L. and the Bummcry I. W. W.

rculars and public prints Ferguson never refers to the Amalgamated
i.ing Workers of America. The members of this great, organized body of
ng operatives he refers to as 'the strikebreakers who have been rioting
along the streets of Baltimore and placing in jeopardy the lives of the innocent/
he designates the A. C. W. of A. as The Amalgamated Clothing Workers
of the World, an anarchistic body whose leaders are gunmen, of unsavory repu-
tations.' Here is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public as to the identity of
the organization attacked by the A. F. of L. and the Bummery I. W. W., led
by himself.

"Sequel to Greif Strike

"The rioting, shooting, brick throwing, slugging, stabbing, and other forms
of outrage perpetrated on members of the Amalgamated Gothing Workers
fo America in Baltimore during the past two months by the American Federa-
tion of Labor and the Bummery Industrial Workers of the World officered
by John H. Ferguson, president of th«» Maryland, Baltimore, and District of
Columbia Federations of Labor, is the sequence of a series of labor troubles
that began with the Greif strike last spring. Labor troubles at the Strouse and
Bros factory followed that strike. In the Greif affair the A. F. of L. (John
Ferguson) combined with the Bummery I. W. W. to break the strike of the
Amalgamated Gothing Workers of America in the plants of the Greif s.

intimate connection between these two events. The Greif

ries and the Strouse & Bros, factories manufacture the same line of

product. The two concerns are business competitors. It is said by those

who ought to know that the Strouse concern obtained business to the amount

of hundreds of thousands of dollars that the Greifs had contracted for mak-

ould not do on account of the strike in the plants — the strike of

\malgamatcd that Ferguson and his I. W. W. allies succeeded finally
in breaking.

"Ferguson is, according to affidavits in addition to the evidence of the
'ances, the paid agent of the Grei

"The Strouse & Bros, plant has been operated as an Amalgamated shop,

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

with a sprinkling of the I. W. W., and the cutters who were members of the
A. F. of L. The plant employs about 1,000 operatives, app iximately 90 per
cent. Amalgamated.

"Plot Behind the 'Strike'

"All the evidence goes to prove that Ferguson and the Bummery officials
conspired to attempt to bring about a strike in Strouse's, for two reasons:

. to avenge the Greif concern, and, second, to destroy the Amalgamated
in that shop and make it A. F. of L.-Bummery.

"In a conference about the timo the Strouse strike began, B. Strouse, one
of the firm, asked Ferguson what motive prompted him in organizing the
sfrike in Strouse's. Ferguson answered: 'Because we owe a debt of gratitude
to the I. W. W. for their assistance in breaking the Greif strike'."

The Policy of Savage Bloodshed Extended

A later issue of the "Weekly People" brings the following report from
Baltimore, which shows to what acts of desperation the conspirators were
driven by their impotent madness:

"A. F. OF L. USES BRUTE FORCE

TO OUST BALTIMORE AMALGAMATED

"Garment Workers of the Independent Union Assailed with Bludgeon, Knife,
and Gun by the Dupes of John H. Ferguson.

"Baltimore, Md., August 26. — The war for supremacy between the Ame-
rican Federation of Labor and the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
daily grows more intense and sanguinary.

"John H. Ferguson, president of the Maryland and Washington and the
Baltimore Federations of Labor, labor leader, scab-herder, strikebreaker, and
all-around traitor to the working class which he misleads, is quoted in the
Baltimore newspapers as having declared: 'The American Federation of Labor
is going to fight the Amalgamated Clothing Workers until every member of
that organization is driven out of town/

"Twenty- four hours after this announcement Saturday, August 26, 8:40
a. m., Henry Sonneborn & Co., makers of the 'Styleplus' men's clothes, became
the scene of a terrific battle, precipitated by the A. F. of L. forces in v/hich
between 2,000 and 3,000 took part, the weapons for the most part being tailors'
shears, knives, blackjacks, pistols, bottles, chairs, and other sorts of weapons.
Six persons were taken to the hospitals and about fifty were given 'first aid'
treatment in the hospital department of the Sonneborn plant.

"The Sonneborn concern employs approximately 4,000 garment workers,
being the largest individual factory of its kind in the world. It is an Amal-

BALTIMORE CONVENT

gamated plant. Of the 4,000 employes, the cutters, about 200 in number,
are A. I The cutting department is on the ninth floor. Among the

cutters were three members of the Amalgamated, After making hit declara-
*f war to the knife, and the knife to the hilt, against the Amalgamated,
Ferguson served notice on the .Sonneborn firm that unless the three Amal-
gamated cutters ^charged forthwith there would be a strike of the
A. F. of L. cutters. The firm refused to discharge the three Amalgamated
rs. As soon as this word was brought to the ninth floor the signal for
hostilities was given, and as one man the A. F. L. cutters began an assault on
the three Amalgamated men.

ree pistol shots notified those in the building and in the street that
the battle was on.

"The door - nth floor had been pushed open in some way, and

the men, fighting with the fury of madmen, rolled down the long stairs.
When they neared the first floor the office force jumped from the windows

ran to a place of safety. At each floor the fighters were reinforced by
men of both factions, until fully 2,000 men were engaged

The police arrived to see men hacking at each other with the huge shears.
Several onlookers say they saw one man actually try to cut his adversary's
ami nil with a pair of shears nearly two feet long. The man screamed and

.s>ailant was 1<M in tlu- -'.niggling mass.

"Besides the wounded, at least 50 women swooned, and a corps of physi-
cians from nearby hospitals was summoned. In several cases parts of the
clothing of the girls had been torn from their bodies. Most of them were
taken home in taxicabs.

"A riot call quickly brought about 100 police and eight or ten patrol wagons,
but only 12 arrests were made.

"After the police had dispersed the belligerents, John Ferguson said: 'This
is only the beginning, unless those gunmen leave the *

"To Ferguson and his crowd 'gun-men* and Amalgamated men are syno-
nyms. Notwithstanding that for eight weeks the armed thugs of the Federation
and Bummery I. W. W. have systematically attempted murder in scores of
individual and mass assaults on members of the Amalgamated who simply
defended themselves, and the attacks, many of them, especially in mass, were
made on the Amalgamated people while under police escort, the Ferguson
crowd and newspapers persist in calling the Amalgamated workers 'gunmen.'
crguson is outspoken in his defense of capitalist interests. He and
I declare that he has done more than any other man to hold in

'% that radical labor element tending toward Socialism."

The violence and blood re also accompanied by a great deal of

bluff and bluster. Thus John H. Ferguson, the evil genius of the bloody con-
spiracy, threatened to call a per ke in all industries in Baltimore in
order to destroy the Amalgamated Clothing Workers. We challenged htm to

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

make good his bluff. Baltimore is still waiting for that much heralded general
strike.

Brother Blumberg published the following official statement in the Balti-
more press, which we reproduce from "The Baltimore Sun" of August 12,
1916:

"STATEMENT TO THE PUBLIC

"The Thursday newspapers carried a statement of a general strike to be
called in this city of all the unions affiliated with the A. F. of L. in support
of the I. W. W. who left their places at Strouse Bros.

"This statement is so ridiculous that the author of it, Mr. Ferguson,
must have relied on the ignorance of the public at large in regards to labor

natters.

"The A. F. of L. has no authority to call a strike of any National Or-
ganization. It is hoped by Mr. Ferguson that by spreading these misstate-
ments he may create enough confusion and bring public sympathy to his
unholy cause.

"It is well for the public to know that the issue between the I. W. W.
and the Strouse firm could have been settled if not for the sinister motives
of Mr. Ferguson in this whole matter.

"The Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, who are now work-
ing in the shops of Strouse Bros., is recognized all over the country as i
responsible labor organization. It controls the clothing industry and also
90 per cent, of the workers in this city.

"It maintains contractual relationship with the largest employers in the
country. It has entered into agreements with the firm of Hart, Schaffner &
Marx, of Chicago, for the last seven years, the largest clothing concern in
the world, without any interruption of work.

"Its agreements have been investigated and highly commended by the
United States Industrial Relations Commission, and in this city the firm of
Henry Sonneborn & Co. has an arbitration agreement with the Amalgamated
Clothing Workers of America.

"Dr. Frank J. Goodnow, president of the Johns Hopkins University, is
the arbitrator under that agreement for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
of America and Henry Sonneborn & Co.

"Needless to state that all the talk about the 'gunmen1 are unqualified
falsehoods.

"The Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America refuse to be run by a
few I. W. W. or to recognize the leadership of men of the type of Ferguson.

"We were and are willing to let any impartial committee investigate the
record of our organization in this and other cities.

"Mr. Ferguson admitted to Mr. Eli Strouse that the cutters had no griev-
ances and that he insisted on calling the cutters to help the I. W. W. His
own statement was: 'I owe the I. W. W. a debt of gratitude for the assist-

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

ancc they gave me in breaking the Greif strike of the Amalgamated Cloth-
ing Workers of America.'

nay be < t to the public to investigate and find out the 1

REASON I UK ALLIANCE OF FERGUSON WITH THE

I W. W.

•II I'.LUMBERG,

r clary -Manager Council No. 3,

inalgamatcd Clothing Workers of America."

The conspirators were c and the Sonncborn and Sf

factories are now under the full jur of our organization. The crimi-

nal tactics of the conspirators in their mad rush to exterminate us have helped
to open the eyes of many of their followers to the fact that they had been

•J and betrayed. They abandoned the old wreck of the discredited crew
and joined our forces, by whom they were receive- shout of joy. Those

converts now constitute our live and energetic cutters' organization of Balti-
more, Local 15, and are among the staunchest members of our International.
A as through that baptism of blood and fire that our organization in
Baltimore was called upon to pass in order to establish itself permanently and
cone! ior the protection of the workers in the industry. Its success

has been bravely fought for and won. The organization now stands ready
to accept any challenge that may be flung at it. The traitors have been exposed
and annihilated and the clothing workers enjoy the- full benefits of having
made their enemies harmless and their organization strong and powerful.

In some cases we were compelled to call strikes in Baltimore in order to
secure for our members the forty-eight hour week and higher wages to meet
the growing cost of living. In most cases, however, concessions were gained
ut the necessity of resorting to

BATTLE ROYAL IN MONTREAL. CANADA

Our Ka -ntion was requested by our Montreal members, who had

a good r. -:i that city, to help them organize -the indu gave

them wl. instance we could and a remarkable organization ar

was quid-. loped. There were a number of strikes during the fir*

montl our Rochester Convention. All of them were succr

In each case the or^ is strengthened in numbers and in spirit.

and the working con- deplorable, were considerably im-
proved.

Montreal, like every other clothing center, has a polyglot industrial popu-

lation. Scginnii nch Canadians, the English,

the 1 with tlv rent languages, sympathies and

1 in the efforts to form a cohesive body for a single pur-

R**

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

pose. But they succeeded wonderfully. The Fivnch Canadians in the cloth-
ing industry, who had never been organized before, formed thrir own local
union as a part of the Montreal Joint Board, which was the central adminis-
trative body for all locals in that city. The conditions of the French t
dians were particularly pitiful because of the large number of exceedingly
young girls among them. The workers among the other nationalities are
ically all immigrants and, therefore, adults. The French Canadians are
natives, born and brought up in Canada. They need not wait until they are
old and strong enough to undertake a long journey to a far and distant land
in order to enter a clothing factory. They have the privilge of leaving school
at a tender age and going straight into the factory in their home town.

The union's representative mu>i always be prepared for sights and stories
of misery when attending meetings of workers struggling for better condi-
tions. In time one naturally becomes more or less hardened. And it is well
that nature has made it so. Otherwise, human nerves would completely give
way in a short time. But however seasoned and hardened a union representative
. T be, however much his eyes may have become accustomed to look at faces
with misery and sufferings deeply engraven in them, and however much his ears
may become adapted to hearing their stories of distress, he can't avoid a
severe shock when coming to a shop meeting of his fellow members he finds
an audience of little girls, some of them still below their teens, their children's
locks hanging over their shoulders and their dresses barely covering their
knees. The union's representative, being himself a father, and thinking of
his own pink-cheeeked little girl while addressing those child slaves, cannot help
renewing his pledge to fight the cannibalistic industrial system, which, not
contented with undermining the health of the manhood and womanhood
of the nation and sending them into early graves, also feeds upon helpless
childhood.

It was not within our power to abolish child labor. What was the result
of many years, possibly generations, of industrial thraldom, could not be
removed by a few months of resistance. We were happy, however, to succeed
ir. lightening the burdens for the workers and making life somewhat brighter
for the little slaves. We were doubly happy for the sake of the little ones.

For the first time the Montreal clothing workers were strongly united,
had a model organization, secured a voice in the determination of their work-
ing conditions, and rays of sunshine, of genuine human happiness, broke
through the dark gray monotony of their lives of drudgery. Their very
interest in the organization, which became so endeared to them, elevated their
souk, brought to them a realization of the fact that they were not merely
human tools fur production of merchandise, rightless, hopeless and aimless,
but that they were human beings entitled to the blessings of life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. They had not wished for the strikes they had gone
through. They had to get some relief from the crushing oppression, and

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

only way they could get -ing convincingly demonstrated the

power of their organization to protect themselves they prevailed upon the

>yers to deal with the union in ail matters concerning working conditions.
The union had hoped that that sane and civilized method of dealing

trial problems would continue and enable them in all cases peacefully to
adjudicate any controversy that might arise.

thr clothing manufacturers of Montreal had been accustomed to un-
restr.i iu attempt on the part of the worker* to organize

had been mercilessly defeated. The employers alone determined hours, wages,
: conditions. While they accepted the labor organization in our
case because there was at the time no a hey immediately began to

prepare for a war to the knife to wipe it out

On D' of a series of successful strikes was wound

up. th< stnkr i^unst the 1;. Company, and on December 18, fire

was opened on us. On that day the Semi-Ready Clothing Company forced its
employees into a strike by refusing to pay them the wage increases agreed upon
in a settlement made shortly prior thereto, and refusing also to permit our
organization to take the matter up with it. That was the entering wedge, which
the association of clothing manufacturers sought to drive deeper into the cleft
by officially u our Montreal organization, on December 23, of the abro-

•\ of relations l> Ixxlies. It became increasingly clear that

the Association, which controlled the largest part of the industry, was making
efforts to force us into a conflict for which it had chosen its own time, and
was trying to maneuver it in such a manner as to fasten responsibility on us.
Our organization did all that could honorably be done to avoid a strike, but
the other side was determined to have it and was in a position to enforc
will. The only way a strike could have been prevented by us was by agreeing
to the abolition of shop chairmen and accepting discrimination against active
n short, by committing suicide. That we were unwilling to do.
On January 9, 1917, the issue was forced by a carefully laid out plan of the
Association. According to that plan the Freedman Company challenged its
employees by a defiant act of discrimination compelling the workers to quit
work. The Freedman Company work immediately and simultaneously made
its appearance at the factories of all the other members of the Association, who
openly and deliberately challenged their employees either to make the work
of the struck house or quit their jobs. The challenge was made in such a

ily provoking manner that it h hoice, even to those who might

have otherwise wavered, but refuse to handle the work. Thirty-five hundred
rr.cn. women and chilrren accepted the challenge and took up the fig?
defence of tl '-.t to maintain their organization. It was not a strike.

It was a lockout in every respect except in name.

About fifteen hundred people, employed by the smaller and independent
;-d at work. Within the next few weeks, however, the situation

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

took such a turn that it became necessary to extend the strike to the entire
industry. On February uth. the strike was made general. Settlements were
soon made with independent firms and a settlement with tin1 kkffl was

made by mediation on March nth.

Those were eight savage \v<-<k> never to be forgotten by any who partici-
pated in the strike.

Wherever there are employers and employees, wage payers and wage
recievers, a strike or a lockout is likely to occur. Workers, when on strike,
do not expect and do not receive any quarter from their employers. A strike
is no Sunday school picnic. It is war. In all cases the employers as well as the
strikers seek to present their case to the public in the most favorable li.^ht.
But in Montreal an attempt was made to deceive the public as to tli
the right of the workers to be organized, by injecting the race issue. That
distinction belongs to one of the judges, Recorder Semple, before whom some
of our pickets had the misfortune of being arraigned. The Recorder delivered
himself of a bitter tirade against the union, in the course of which he said,
referring to the union officials: "They draw fat salaries, which ought n
to go to men of such deficient moral and mental capacity as exemplified in the
Secretary before me, who, with the three Jewish defendants, stand up and give
evidence directly contrary to that of five constables, who from their many
years of experience know what it is to perjure themselves and are, at least,

That was followed by denunciations in the press, in which the strikers
were described as German- Jewish workers, who were engaged in a strike that
> inspired and led by German agents. If we will remember that Canada,
as a part of the British Empire, was then, as it still is, at war with Germany,
we will realize the brutal motive behind the words "German Jewish Workers"
and "German Agents/'

The characterization of "German Jewish Workers" was applied to all
strikers, including the Italians and French Canadians, there having been no
Germans among the strikers or the other members of the Montreal organiza-
tion.

The nearest approach to the Montreal appeal to racial prejudices was made
by the A. F. of L. and I. W. W. conspiracy in Baltimore as a means of breaking
the Greif strike.

The Dominion Government was appealed to to deport our officers and
organizers, who were, because of that, frequently called by the Immigration
authorities.

In addition to appealing to the Government the Association also made
the same appeal in the press, declaring that "we have removed this element
from our shops, and all we ask now is that such men lie removed from
Canada as undesirables. They should be deported." (Gazette, January 15,
1917.) The public was, of course, informed that we were not recognized by
the American Federation of Labor, that we were a "scab organization," and
that our official title was "German Tailors Union." During Secretary Schlossberg's

BALT1MORK KNTION

btay in Montreal in connection with the strike the Association asked the New

Department for his record, hoping that that would supply the

eagerly sougi r his deportation, but the Police Department had no

to furnish.

The clothing manufacturers, who are also stockholders in munition plants,
issued strict orders not to give employment to their striking clothing workers,

••a were badly in need of help. They had hoped in
way to beat the workers into submission.

Knowing that the wages pai r factories were not enough to sustain

;»loyees during any period of idleness the employers anticipated applt-
is for relief to t u tions. As contributions to those in

lions and officers of them the employers used their influence and author/
deny assistance to any ri cned to ask for

The Manufacturers' Association published the following as a full-page paid
ertiscment in all tin .il papers, and in all languages:

iUTII / STRIKE IN THK CLOTHING

INDUSTRY OF MONTREAL

Montreal is the greatest centre in the Dominion of Canada for the manufacture
of clothing. It has some of the largest, most sanitary and up-to-date clothing
factories on the Continent. It has built up an enviable reputation for the quality
and workmanship of Ready-made Clothing.

The clothing workers of Montreal are well paid, they have been well treated as
regards hours and conditions of labor. The majority of them are, however, idle.

a time when the interests of the Nation and of the Empire demand that

one should put his shoulder to the wheel, when every citizen ought to do

his share to keep the Home Fires Burning, and to upbuild British Industry and

:sh Commerce, the clothing workers arc out on strike.

The reason is, because professional alien agitators have cleverly organized Canadian
workers for the purpose of imposing tyrannical and rumous conditions on Canadian
manufacturers, conditions which would leave the manufacturers without a shred of
author e internal organization of enterprises in which their capital is staked.

The Alien Agitator* and Their Methods

These agitators came here some months ago for the purpose of launching '.
propaganda. They beK operations by making a few unimportant requests.

The manufacturers granted the requests. Then demands were made, and on concessions
being made, still further demands were forthcoming. Again and again the manufac-
turers met the demands in a conciliatory spirit. But instead of satisfying the agitators,
this only encouraged them, until at last their impositions became unbearable.

Their ambition was to secure absolute control so that not a wheel would turn.
unless by their sanction.

In effect their demands meant that the direction of the whole productive processes
of the clothing factories mt'st be handed over \vithout question to the appointed
delegates of these foreign agitators, or not a soul would be allowed to work.

day there is a strike of clothing workers in Montreal involving a loss of
earning power of not less than $50,000 a week for the workers, and many thousands of
dollars to the manufacturers.

Why Haa This Strike Been Called?

Not because of any grievances of the clothing workers themselves, who ar- .
hard-working body, jealous of the good name of Canadian products, many
•»m have - - igh intimidation into joining the Union.

The following is the immediate - tor callii

•i man app'»c<l for a povti^n in a clothing f He was given a place

at Union wages. A Union-imposed shop "delegate" in an entirely different department

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

appeared on the scene and enquired: "Have you got a ticket from the Uniom officials
l>errmtting you to work in this shop?"

Fancy the insolence of it!

The worker replied that he had not, and was told by the delegate that he must
cither get such permission at oner -mid not be allowed to work in the fad

The foreman objected to this, but had no power to interfere, the delegate having
usurped authority in the shop.

As this particular delegate had already caused much trouble in the shop ami
had been notified that his interferences would not be tolerated, and as discipline
*as being absolutely undermined, the proprietor called in the delegate (who was
a paid employee of the tirm), gave him a week's wages in lieu of notice and <i
him. Although the employee was indebted to the manufacturer in a considerable sum,
•othing was deducted.

His reinstatement was demanded by the Union, despite the fact that he had at
once obtained employment elsewhere. The firm refused, and a strike was called in the
establishment.

The other clothing manufacturers undertook to assist the firm in carrying out
its Spring orders, and the work was distributed among the various factories. Then
the present strike was called.

re is another instance of these imperious demands.

A manufacturer operating a large plant in Montreal operates also a branch factory
in another town in this province. On a certain day two shop delegates from the
Montreal plant waited upon the employer to advise him that the first occasion after
that date that any materials were sent to this branch factory to be cut and made,
would be the signal for the calling out of the hands working in the Montreal factory.
.Again, a man working in a certain factory was satisfied with conditions and gave
satisfactory service to the employer. The labor agitator called on the employer
one day and stated that he had objections to the man working in the establishment.
He demanded that the man be dismissed, and failing to have the demand complied
with, made the threat "I will tear the guts out of your building." Had the employer
not complied, a strike would have been called.
Another case: —

A worker was being instructed in a certain operation on a garment necessary
to iis proper finish, and although much patience was expended the worker did not wish
to learn, and finally refused to try any further. The proprietor told the worker
that the garment would have to be made in the manner indicted or his services
would not be required. The worker only laughed and retorted, "You can't discharge
me anyway, the Union won't let you." To avoid a strike, the proprietor was compellled
to swallow the pill.

Intolerable Conditions Imposed by Alien Labor Autocrats

These cases, however, are only a few of many leading up to this strike. A Cana<
employer cannot employ a Canadian even if that worker is a Union man, without
"permission" having first been obtained from an irresponsible labor trust.

While employers cannot themselves engage workers, but must apply to an
organziation dominated by alien agitators — they are forbidden to discharge any worker
who has been in their employ two weeks! No matter if the worker is unsuitable,
no matter whether he is incompetent, insolent, a trouble-maker, or a consistent
ker." if he has been employed two weeks, nothing short of actual crime for which
conviction could be made in the criminal courts, can take him off the pay roll of the
unfortunate employer! He is a standing charge against the firm for all time, and the
amount the firm must pay him is fixed by this despotic Union.

The manufacturer must retain the right to employ such efficient workers and
increase or decrease their number, as the needs of his business dictate. To take
away such rights and to force the manufacturer to employ those who are either
unsuitable or no longer required would destroy discipline and efficiency and take
the control out of the hands of those who are responsible for the success of the business.
The following is an extract from an article which appeared in the "Labor World/'
the official organ of the Montreal Trades and Labor Council, of the ijth of this
month: —

liave great respect for Recorder Semple. and furthermore we do

not approve of the way the members of the Garment Workers' Union have

acted in this strike. We wish to state that the garment workers did not

e usual course, and have not, as required by the Trades and Labor

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Council, to whom they did not apply, exhausted all means of conciliation
before going on strike We are the first to deplore the disturbance* which
have occurred and to blame those responsible i

The

:.y demandi like the foregoing, the clothing manufacturers
of this city ha »to an Association, and they have determined that

remt the-»e demands to the end.

Our shops • <*rs who are welcome to return, and we

giu h will be absolutely fair and just.

S' ASSOCIATION OF MONTR!

LTD. LOTH1ERS

CLOTHING CO., LTD.

TD. \KDNER ft CO.

TD. !FG. CO.. LTD.

SON A CO. & CO.

I>MAN CO. CO.

& CO. i<T & SO

To the above statement of the Clothing Manufacturers' Association the

'<•(! th»- foil' ply as a paid advertisement:

REAL ISSl CLOTHING STRIKE IX MONTREAL

Our Position is Clear

"The truth about the strike in the clothing industry of Montreal," is the
of a full pax* • 'it published by the Clothing Manufacturers' Association in

the (! In that statement the charge is made

that ' alien agitators have cleverly organized Canadian workers for the

purpose of imposing tyrannical and ruinous conditions on Canadian Manufac

' .? Manufacturers without a shred of authority in the
internal organization of enterprises in which their capital is staked.**

This c! 'rny in fto. \\ -.-ally declare that THE REAL ISSUE

TO BE ORGANIZED.

The C! mufacti:; -ciation shows no spirit of fair play in •

conceal the tr - lie cry of "Alien Agitators." There are no more ** Alien

tors" on of the controversy than there are on the part of the Manufac -

Association.

It is purely an industrial dispute Mfl employers and their employees, both

of whom include pra< 'ie same nationalities, races and creeds. It is an

indus* il dispute b< -cs such as have occurred in different

countries and under variou- MS. To charge such a dispute, which is a natural

>wth of the relations between employers and employees, to "Professional
agitators," means not only running away from the truth, but also character assassi?

No practical purpose will be - r airing in the public press of alleged

of the Hirers* Association again > nion. and the Union's

denying them, as we certainly do deny the charges of "Intolerable conditions ii

.tlien labour ,v;t . \\ill not brinK- the issue any nearer a solution.

I the problem - 1 by the . inp to cru-h the

of th« - -ihing policy does succeed, it only

to plant the seeds for future it >n.

W Me merits of the dispute we arc ready to meet the employers at a

body or individually, as thr - * discuss the issue or issues; anything we

may fail to at - -«re willing to leave to arbitration.

S. W. Jaco! both parties the services of Hon. Macken.

former Minister of Labuor. \V',v are the Manufacturers afraid to trust him? He.
surely, is not an "Alien Agitator." Nor can the Mayor of this city be classed as such.
We a - - may easily be found a number of other

fair-minded and publi - rns entitled to the confidence of both parties.

The Amalga: lothtng Wor America has been working ui

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

collective bargain agreements with a number of Clothing Manufacturers, among them
the two largest clothing firms on the American Continent. Hart, Schaffner & Marx,
of Chicago, employing about six thousand tailors and cutters, and Henry Sonneborn
& Co., of Baltimore, employing about three thousand. The "Intolerable conditions
imposed by the Labour Autocrats" arc found to be perfectly satisfactory by all those
establishments. What is possible there cannot be impossible here.

The workers are determined to defend their rights to organise. A right established
by the free laws and institutions of this country they will not permit themselves
to be deprived of by any set of men. But the organization of the workers stands
ready to meet with the employers to confer and adjust.

All that is necessary in order to reach a speedy adjustment is for the employers
to agree to meet us.

JOINT BOARD OF ". VIED CLOTH

WORKERS OF CA.

The following letters are self -explanatory:

JOS. SCHLOSSBERG, Esq., Montreal, January i8th, 1917.

General Secretary,

Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.

Dear Sir: — With reference to the dispute which has arisen between the working
men, members of your Association, who are now on strike, and the various Clothing
Manufact nis. 1 should be glad to learn whether your Association would lie-

prepared to meet, in conference. Members of the Clothing Manufacturers' Association,
\viih a view of settlement, and in the event of the parties failing to agree, to submit
such disagreements to the arbitration of the Hon. W. L. Mackenzie King, former
Minister of Labour. I am dispatching a similar letter to the Clothing Manufacturers'
Association, asking whether they would be prepared to fall in with this view.

I have not been authorized by any of the parties to the dispute to interest myself
in the matter and am acting purely with the object of endeavoring to bring about
a settlement of the unfortunate trouble, through the means referred to above.

May I have your reply immediately?

Yours truly,

(Signed) L. W. JACOBS .

P. S.— I have phoned Mr. King, who states that if both parties are agreeable
to having him, he would be prepared to act. S. W. J.

Montreal, January ipth, 1917.
L. W. JACOBS, Esq., 83 Craig St., West, City

Dear Sir: — I have your favor of the i8th inst., asking whether my organization
would meet in conference with members of the Clothing Manufacturers' Association
with a view of settling the present controversy.

I have not as yet had an opportunity to place your letter before my organization
for official action. It has. however, been the policy of the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers of America to confer with employers' Associations for the purpose of adjusting
disputes. In line with that established policy I shall urge to agree to confer and am
confident that it will be done if the other side is ready.

It has been my experience that seeming unsolvable problems in the relations
between employers and employees were satisfactorily solved by mutual understanding
and agreement as a result of conferences. What was possible in many other cases
should also be possible i-n the present case.

Appreciating the high motive that has prompted your action, I thank you most
sincerely.

Respectfully yours,

(Signed) JOSEPH SCHLOSSBERG,

General Secretary,
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

The Labor World, organ of the Trades and Labor Council, in its issue of
January 27, 1917, indignantly protested against the manufacturers' use <
name in us. The Trades and Labor Council also adopted a

resolution expressing its sympathy with the strikers.

In a •> given above the following correspondence will be

of interest an<t will throw a strong light on the whole situation: —

Montreal, February 2. 1917
JOS. SCHLOSSBERG. ESQ.

Ge: • inalgamated Clothing Workers of America,

-•

Dear S. . reference to the letters which 1 addressed on January ifkh to

you, at r- - - .ited Clothing Workers of America, and to

iiuctmrrs* Association, I have to say that the Manufacturer!'

the same, and unofficially 1 am given to under-

- not t)t<- : that body to take any cognizance of my com-

mun

In a letter addressed by the Associat ie Mayor this week, that body is

good enough to refer t in attempting a conciliation, whict

on the th' c*sed their sentiment, scarcely coincides with their failure

to reply to courteous communication addressed with the best of intentions. While

M understands that high motives may a

parties e\ < -heir own body, a few simple lessons in qood manners, breeding

and courtesy, which i easily learn from your Association, would, perhaps,

make that organization a little more representative of the interests they are supposed
to sc

Yours truly.

(Signed) I.. W. JACOBS .

Public Statement of Mayor Martin of Montreal

After his repeated efforts to bring about a settlement, which were frustrated
<> employers' association, Mayor Martin of Montreal issued the following
public statement, of which an official copy was furnished to us:

As the attempts I have made to settle the differences which have

en the clothing manufacturers and the clothing workers have been a
complete failure, I believe it is necessary that the public should exactly know
the nature of the steps I have taken and the reasons why the same have been

fruitless.

On the 2/th of Jam. I received the following let!-

Montreal, January *7. I9'7
Us Worship Mederic i'.sq., M. P..

ntreal, <

Honorable S of Montreal, who is daily brought into contact with

the * rfce •*«! by the present clothing: feel justified in making on my

personal i an urgent appeal to you to use the power and influence of your

High Office of the Metropolitar Canada, as well as the friend of the working

man. in order to effect a speedy settlement of the present unfortunat

The strike i- ino.ilonlaMv damaging both to the manufacturer the worl

to the former, by demoralizing one of the greatest and most productive ind-;
in the community; and to the latter, l.y the uiu-rrtainties and losses due to unemploy-
ment, and this at a per the hie!i living is such an important problem

This economic lo*s and strife is : rly deplorable at a time when

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

the burdens of war are falling so heavily on all classes, and when the interests of the
nation and of the Empire, demand co-operation and un

Experience in dealing with >trike condtions, has demonstrated, that the best
results are often achieved by mediation and tion.

1 assure you, that a large number of citizens, would welcome at the present
juncture, your personal and official intervention and the nomination of a voluntary
Board of Mediators, to be headed by yourself, and to include the Members of the
Board of Commissioners of the City, and also Professor Stephen Leacock of the
Faculty of Arts of Mctiill Univcrnty, for the purpose of carrying out an immediate,
direct and impartial inquiry, in order that a basis of settlement, fair and equitable
to both parties shall be arrived at.

Such a finding would be backed by the full force of public opinion, and would
command instant adhesion and respect. It would also eliminate future causes of
disagreement and act as a salutary curb to stubbornness or bitterness on cither side.
Prompt action cannot fail to be a boon to all interests involved, including the welfare
of the public, which is exposed to unforeseen loss and suffering.

The blame of prolonging the present struggle, would then be fixed definitely on
the faction refusing to accept the verdict, which would in such event stand condemned
before the Bar of Public Opinion.

This appeal is made to you as a public man. who possesses in an eminmt
degree, the courage, firmness and capacity to act authoritatively to save the situation,
and I venture to hope, that it will receive your courteous and due consideration.

I remain, Your Worship,

Yours sincerely,

LYON W. JACOBS,

Treasurer,
Business Men's Strike Relief Committee.

I replied to this letter as follows :

Montreal, January 29th, 1917.
LYON W. JACOBS, Esq.,

Advocate, Barrister & Solicitor,
Main Bulding,

520 St. Lawrence Boulevard, City.

Dear Sir: — I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 27th inst.. with
regard to the present strike in the Clothing Trade and, in reply I wish to inform
you that I am writing to-day to the Clothing Manufacturers' Association and to the
Joint Board of the Amalgamated Garment Workers, asking them to send representa-
tives to meet me in my office at the City Hall, on Thursday, February ist, at 10
o'clock A. M., for the purpose of stating whether they would be prepared to accept
your suggestion of appointing a voluntary Board of Mediators to whom both factions
would submit their respective grievances in order that a basis of settlement, fair and
equitable to both parties, may be arrived at.

Trusting you will be present at the meeting, I beg to remain, Dear Mr. Jacobs,

Yours very truly,
(Signed) NfEDERIC MARTIN,

Mayor,

I instructed at the same time my Secretary to transmit the following
letter to the Manufacturers:

Clothing Manufacturers of Montreal, Montreal, January 29th, 1917.

Attention of Mr. Lyon Cohen,
c/o Freedman Company,

Sohmer Bldg., Mayor Street, City.

Dear Sir:— With reference to a letter from Mr. Lyon W. Jacobs, B. C. L.,
Treasurer Business Men's Relief Committee addressed to His Worship the Mayor,
and relative to the present strike in the Clothing Trades, I have been directed to
ask you to send representatives to meet His Worship the Mayor, iji his office at
the City Hall, on Thursday, February ist, at 10 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of
stating whether they would be prepared to accept the suggestions of Mr. Lyon W.
Jacobs of appointing a voluntary Board of 'Mediators to whom both factions would

.TIMORE CONVENTION

order that a bam of settlement, fair and equitable

to both parties may » -

Trusting you *>!! *ivr IM- rr.juest your prompt attention, 1 bey to remain,
dear

SPERANGE.

Se -
I thm n-rrived the following reply from the Manufacturers:

•M-HING MANUFACTURERS* ASSOCIATION OF MONTR!
8 Beaver Hall Hill.

Worship Mederic Martin, Eta.., M. P. Montreal. January joth. 1917.

Mayor of Montreal,
Montreal, QIK

Dear I I •::»* the Clothing Manufacturers'

Association t< - vet to the Or - iary itt. at 10 o'clock.

<e of stating whether they would be willing to accept suggestions

respecting apj .try Board of Mediator! in conne n the

istry, was laid before a meeting of our Association held
n.

Aft - n and while appreciating the kind offices of gentlemen

. 'Uirsrli. (. oiuroller R< ».«•*. Mr nl others, who a

prompted by the highest motives to int -i the present sit

'••c obliged to ad\ that they are unable to entertain the sugK

relative to a Board of Mediators.

Thr -rs of the Association, in the interest of peace and harmo

already conceded •• »:. with the exception of the right to control their own

affair- a matter which may be arbitrated.

Association's statement published in the press a few days ago fully
, >sition and shows what our members have had to contend with. We can only
ite what we Micly stated, : shops are open -mployee*.

whom we will treat with fairness and justice at all times.

ile. as tfully decline to submit the - lion of

• >f our business to any Committee, no matter how worthy, we shall be giad
to wait upon Your Worship personally, if you so desire, at any time you may
appoint, in order to explain our position more fully.

Yours sincerely.

THK CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATK

Charles J. Harrod. Secretary.

1 th<n invited i!i»- manufacturers to come and discuss with me the causes
of the confl

CHARLES J. HARROD. Esq., Se

The Clothing Manuf, Association,

!! Hill.

Dear Sir: — 1 beg to ackr ,.f your letter of the joth ult.. and in

would .1 representatives of your Association

call at my ofnre this afternoon at 2 o'clock. If the delay is too snort to get your
hers together, kindly let me know what time \\
Bcliexc me. Dear Sir,

Yours very truly,
(Signed) MEDERIC MARTI

Mayor.

In the meantime I received the following letter from th<* nothing Work'
Union :

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

JOINT BOARD OF MONTREAL

Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.

Office: 37 Prince Arthur St., Est. B. Rishi4cof, Sec.-Treas. Phone: East 318

MKDKK1C MARTIN. K>

Mayor of Montr < Montreal, February i, 1917.

City Hall, (
Honorable Sir:

Confirming our conversation of this morning at your office, I beg leave to state
that if, as the Clothing Manufacturers say, the only issue of the present conflict
between our organization and theirs is the discharge of the Shop Delegate of the
Frccdman Company, I assure you that as far as we are concerned the matter will
be easily adjusted if we meet in Conference with the Employers.

I may also add that any other problem that may properly be placed before us
will likewise be solved as a result of such conference. My confidence in this is based
upon my experience with similar situations in the past.

Thanking you for your kind interest, I beg to remain,

Very respectfully yours,

JOSEPH SCHLOSSBERG.

General Secretary,
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.

I then had an interview with the representative of tlu Manufacturers'
Association and I urged them to agree to meet their employees or their represen-
ts to discuss the question at issue.

Frcm what these gentlemen stated to me, I understand that the Manu-
facturers were willing to meet their employees but that they did not want
to have anything to do with outside representatives of the Clothing Workers'
•n.

In the course of the interview, the representatives of the manufacturers
declared that they could not comply with certain requests made by their emp-
loyees and that they could not allow anyone to interfere with the internal
administration of their work-shops.

The manufacturers pointed out certain abuses which they had to suffer
from their employees namely:

1. That shop delegates quit their work and intervene each time anything happens.

The manufacturers declared that they did not object to the presence of repre-
sentatives of the union in the work-shops, provided that they attended to the business
of the union outside of working hours.

2. That the shop delegates refuse to allow any gang to dp the work of another
gang, when the manufacturers are compelled to act thus owing to the absence of
employees.

3. When a row employee is engaged in any work-shop, the shop delegate quits
his work, goes over to this new employee and asks him if he has his Union Card;
if the latter replies in the negative but adds that he will go and fetch it during
lunch hour or in the evening, the shop delegate refuses to allow him to work and
stirs up all the other employees. Moreover, if this new employee applies to the
union for his card, they refuse to give him the same and he is told that there are
unionists on the list before him and that he must wait for his return to get work.

4. That they sought to prevent the manufacturers from discharging any employee
even when there is not sufficient work for everybody, the workers contending that
the shops should rather remain open only during three days per week.

The representatives of the manufacturers then withdrew after stating that

they would again discuss the matter with the other members of their association.

On the 4th of February, I had an interview with about thirty representa-

BALTIMORE CONVENTION
lives of the C and 1 submitted to them the stat

made to me by the representatives of the employers. These gentlemen asserted
that all the differences might be easily settled if the unionists could meet the

employ*

I then promised that I would again communicate with the manufacturers
and hem to prevail upon loyers to meet the workers.

I thereupon wrote the following letters:

\KROD, Esq.. SecreU: r^ry 5, 1917.

The Clothing Manufacturer*' Association of Montreal,
8 U. :i Hill.

ar Sir:— I had a long interview, yesterday, in my office, with about thirty
representatives of the Garmrnt Workers' Union, and I stated to them that the
•uo Hirer* iiployees but were refuting to have

mg to d< .es of any labor organize

H statcni i*e I understood from the representatives of the

tac Hirers' Association of Montreal, whom I met last Friday, in the
t this was the decision of their association.

If the members of your association have not changed their views on the matter,
to arrange to have three workers of every shop meet their employ-
cans to i - unfortunate strike which is paralyzing the
v and bringing sufferings to such a large number of our
good citizens.

Yours very truly,
(Signed) MEDERIC MARTIN.

LYON W. JACOBS, Esq., K. C. Treasurer,

Business Men's Strike Relief Commit t Montreal, February 5. 1917.

ntreal.

Dear Sir: — In pursuance with the understanding arrived at yesterday, during
the Conference with the representatives of the Clothing Workers' Union. I may say
it I have been told, I believe that the Clothing Manufacturers would
: ling to meet their own workers if such meeting can be arranged.

1 you kindly lay this matter immediately before the Garment Workers who
are presently on strike, to find out if they would be willing to appoint a Committee
of, say three workers from each shop, to meet their employers.
An early reply will oblige.

Yours very t:
(Signed) MEDERIC MART!

Mmyor.
The manufacturers transmitted to me the following reply:

THE CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS* ASSOCIATION OF MONTREAL.

.Vorship MEDKRIC MARTIN, Esq.. M. P..
Mayor of Montreal, February 5. 1917.

Montreal. Quebec.

.tr Sir:— Your letter of the sth inst., was submitted to a meeting of the Clothing
Manufacturers' Association held this afternoon and I have been requested to reply
ns fallows:

The manufacturers have not in any respect changed their minds relative to the

K their employees at their respective offices, and in order that

their position may be made perfectly clear in the matter, they beg to refer you to

the clause dealing with that i •: their general statement appearing in the

of January 25th. and also to the letter to Controller Ross of date of

2d, a copy of which is herewith enclosed.

Yours sincerely,
(Signed) HARROD.

Honorary Secretary.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

1 thereupon wrote to the manufacturers the following letter:

CHARLES J. HARROD, Esq., Secretary,

The Clothing Manufacturers' Association of Montreal,
8 Beaver Hall Hill. Montreal.

mr Sir:— I beg to acknowledge receipt of your reply to my letter of the sth.,
.t. I am sorry to see that the Clothing Manufacturers' Association do not think
.ible to meet a delegation of their employees as rcpre>r

to which they belong but are only willing to receive them in the office of the respective
shops where they used to work.

I never understood that such was the way your Association had decided to act,
otherwise. I would not have pressed the matter any further.

I fail t" see the reluctance of your Association to discuss the different questions
at issue with a body of men representing those directly intere.ste.i in i < ttlement of
the present difficulties; on the other hand I quite realize the objection of the Workers

ital importance to them without proper sup;

1 admit that the manufacturers may have had cause for complaints against certain
of their employees, but, nobody can deny that if all the grievances which the workers
have suffered were put before the public, these grievances would be found far more
serious than the complaints of the employers.

I \\us tokl thi> morning that the Union had practically decided that the whole
>n of the rights of their members being at stakq it was advisable to immediately
ask for additional wages and shorter hours to which they claim they are entitled.
I succeeded this morning to have this matter postponed and I promised to write
a^ain to your association to urge once more the advantage of having a m-
between the employers and the employees, both as representing their respective
associations.

I sincerely hope that you will reconsider your decision and that you will give
me the necessary help to arrive at an early settlement o£ the present difficulties.
I Relieve me, dear

Yours very truly.
(Signed) M1EDERIC MARTIN,

Mayor,

After sending this letter I had a further interview with the representatives
of the manufacturers which said interview had no result.

As a l.i-t shift I tried to prevail upon the interested parties to agree to
the appointment of a Board of Arbitration, as shown by the following correspon-
dence.

This suggestion was accepted by the workers and rejected by the manu-
facturers.

MR. LYOX \V. .1 Ac OBS, Treasurer. Montreal, February 9, 1917.

Busines Strike Relief Committee,

520 St. Lawrence Boulevard, Montreal.

Dear Sir: — I am very sorry to see that all my attempts to effect a settlement
of the present difficulties between the clothing manufacturers and their workers, have

now met with no success.

I had deckled therefore to abandon, further negotiations and to lay before the
public the whole situation as I understand it. Nevertheless, before doing so I will
make one last suggestion to put an end to the present situation and, if this suggestion
is rejected the public will judge who is responsible for the present state of affairs.

.rgestion is simply the appointment of an arbitration board composed of

three members, one to be appointed by the workers, one by the manufacturers and
these two arbitrators to select the third one.

This method of settling difficulties is nothing new and should be accepted by
both parties.

I am writing a similar letter to the Clothing Manufacturers' Association, and I
am anxiously awaiting their reply as well as yours.

Yours very truly,
(Signed) MIEDERIC MARTIN,

Mayor,

100

I1ALTIMORB CONVTOTION
The same letter was sent to the Clothing Manufacturers' A

MKDERIC MARTIN. E«q.( M r Montreal, February u. 1917.

Mayor of Montreal.
Montreal

Honor.*' - I beg le*\r !-. knnwledjce recrijit fo your favor of

.tng Worker »' Strike in which you suggest the appointment
of an Art Hoard composed of three members one to be apt> y the

*!id these ar1>: • a th»r«:

1 I this con -l-.at I have duly submitted this matter

Kamated Clothing Workers «•{ America

sideration and rm you that in line with the estab-

f thai organization that the Joint Board are quite willing to accept

• an Ar Board for the purpose of

i*pute, with the exception however of the recognition of

the Union or the right of the Workers to be organized which is a mat'.' uciple

J m.iv nt Hoard will be pleased to meet your Worship at any

•n t" y»>»« >" this connection.

mking you for the interest you have taken in this strike and deeply appreciating
the high mot .ive prompted you to endeavor to regulate thi* mat!

Hehexr :nr. with kind respects,

Yours very truly.

(Signed) )N W. JACOBS.

CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION OF MONTR!

.Vorship Mi Dl KK MARTIN, Esq., M

Mayor of Montreal, Montreal, February ijth. 1917.

-.»!, Uue.

Your lr he otfi \n»i.. suggesting the appointment of an arbisration board

composed of three members, one appointed by the Workers, one by the Manufacturers'

:<> select the third, was duly placed before a full meeting of the Associa-

After careful consideration and while appreciating your further efforts, it was

felt that the Ass« .id in thrir letters to you of joth January, plain

the fact that the Manufacturers had already conceded | the

<>f the right to control their own affairs, which is not a matter that may be
arbitrated.

In our several interview*, with Your Worship, you have stated that the »•
\va« r of wages, hours or working c and Controller Ross in his

last statement publicly advised the men to return to work.

must again say that having made our case plain, we respectfully decline to
submit our affairs to a board of mediators.

Yours sincerely.

CLOTHING MANUFACTURERS* ASSOCIATION OF MONTR! «

(Signed) \RROD.

Hon. Secretary.

The main fact which the above correspondence discloses is that the employees
- that their I'nion be recognized and that the employers. whUe they do not seem
to formally refuse to recognize such Union, seek the means of supprc*
refusing to confer with those whose have organized the same and are the principal
supporters thereof.

have always been an ardent Unionist, and today, more tha - i am of

Mian should organize, inasmuch as this is the only means he
mg his condition.

The workers desire that their Union be recognized; I approve them, for if such
--r suppressed, they would be at the mercy of the employers and treated as
mcrccna::

Why do the manufactur ^e to meet their employees, as Unionists, and

ss with them the terms of an arrangement which would permit of the employers

101

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

being masters in their work-shops and which would ensure for the workers the
protection of their rights against the abuses of power or caprices of a foreman or
employer?

an only find one answer to this question, namely, that the employer i.i
sincerity when he says that he is in favor of the Union formed by his employ

The manufacturers refuse to concede anything; they decline to discuss with their
employees, as and object to arbitration. In view of this st >s on

their part, I can only repeat to the workers what I already said to them, ti
that they should act with calm, but energetically insist on the upholding and recog-
D of their rights.

ll just and will ultimately triumph.

MEDERIC MARTIN,

M ;iyor,

The Strike Spreads

We had a number of conferences with the Mayor and other pu ited

citizens who were anxious to assist in bringing about a settlement of tin- <trike,
but the manufacturers stubbornly clung to the famous Pullman formula of
"Nothing to Arbitrate," and refused to listen to anyone, not even excepting
iayor of the city. Their srtihbcrniv 'he fact that bu

lull during the strike period. That was also the reason they selected that
time for the contest. The organization realized that as for itself it was a
question of endurance. The problem was then, Can we hold out until sometime
in March? At the tiinc the Mayor made his statement public the strike was
general throughout the industry, including fifteen hundred workers in the
independent shops. While the extension of the strike had its advantages, in
other ways it had this one disadvantage that removed an important source of
revenue while it increased the number of people who required assistance. There
were then 5,000 strikers instead of 3,500.

. The rigors of the Montreal winter are well known. To do picket duty at
six o'clock in the morning with a temperature of twenty-eight degrees below zero
requires a high sense of duty and a spirit of self-sacrifice. Nor was the
inclemency of the weather the only hardship. The police displayed the usual
brutality towards the strikers except that in addition to making effective use of
their clubs they, being mounted police, literally rode roughshod over the strikers,
who were trampled under the hoofs of the horses. The aged, the your.;
men and the women, were alike clubbed, ridden over, beaten up and otht
prosecuted and persecuted.

The distress was acute. The Montreal organization, very young and con-
stantly on the firing line, had not an opportunity to prepare itself financially
for such an onslaught. The manufacturers depended on the poverty of the
organization and its members to break the spirit. They had hoped to starve
them into submission. Financial relief came from our general membership and
also from a Business Men's Relief Conference organized in Montreal. The
General Office contributed large sums of money. Still larger sums would have
been contributed were it not for the general strike in Philadelphia that was on
at the same time and required liberal support.

102

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

The financial assistance received t 'rikers was far from suffkie:

they fought bravely on. The lines remained intact and the spirit strong until
We are happy to attest to the fact the Montreal strikers proved
equal to the very be he battles of our organization. They

conducted a magnificent fight again le odds.

The Settlement

!»e course oi ;u> individual settlements were made

firms and on March 7, after a number of attempts at mediation,

iiuluin was signed referring <versy to a Committee of

It took eight weeks to prove to the manufacturers that the workers

could not be pounded into renouncing their right to organize. Business was

beginning to revive and • >r the employers to agree to end the

;th.

The ".tlinn of agreement which ended the strike was signed for the

Board I its attorney and member of the Provincial

nd for the Manufacturers' Association by Mr. Michael Hirsch.
a prominent business man. The memorandum was as follows:

"Whereas Mr. Mirliael Hirsch and Mr. iVter Bercovitch have discussed ways and

- of adji:- -lie differences that exist between the following dot hmg

manufacturers to wit: Joh- k. Ltd.. Semi-Ready. Ltd.. Fashion

Craft. Ltd., Sa; ncr & Co.. Ltd., S. Levinson & Co.. The Frcedraan Co., Samuel

Hart & Co., K. A. Small Co., Ltd.. Christie Clothing Co.. Ltd., B. Card:

1 Mfg. Co.. Ltd.. Kaplan Samuelsohn & Co.. Saxe Clothing
Co., H. Keller: & Sons and their employees, and

"Whereas, they deem it advisable to reduce to writing the suggestions that they
are prepared to offer to both manufacturers and employees as a basis for an amicable
settlement of the difference and grievances which employer and employee pretend to
- against each oil -

re submit to the clothing manufacturers and their employees the
following suggestions:

"I. A C« f Inquiry is to be appointed in the manner hereinafter stated

with power to im; all differences between employer and employee.

;it that the disagreement occurred;
(b) Into all other grievances of both part:

•nmittee may make such recommendations as in their opinion will
remedy the differences or grievances that exist, and suggest such means as may avoid
all such differences or grievances arising in the fut

osed of five gentlemen, none of

i are to he . either directly or indirectly with the clothing industry.

The Commit- be appointed as follows:

rsch. and two by Mr. Peter Bercovitch.

and the fifth, who will also act as Chairman, is to be selected by the four appointed
as aforesaid.

The employees >rk forthwith without >f any kind.

The Committee will report within four weeks from date, if possible, and in
any event not Liter than the first or

Both of the parties hereto undertake to use erery effort to have the report of
•mniittee and the remedies suggested carried out by both employer and employee.
"8. The report of the Committee is to be delivered to Messrs. Hirsch and Berco-
vitch as soon as it is rendered.

rt of the Committee, any misunderstanding that may arise
v Hirsch and Bercovitch whose decision in all matters
em is to he final.

"Thus done and passed at the city of Montre.il on this seventh day of March. 1917.

-MICHAEL HIRSCH.
KTER BERCOVITC!

103

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

When Brother Hillman, who represented the Union in those proceedings,
submitted the report to the Joint Board it was accepted and subsequently
ratified by the membership at a large mass meeting. Our im-mbcrs returned
to work, and the following gentlemen, chosen as a Committee of Inquiry took
he task assigned to them: John T. Foster, Secretary of the Trades and
Labor Council of Montreal, and J. C. Remmeon, Professor nomics in

McGill University, for the Union; Issac Freedman and W. N. Wyrnim fur the
Association, and A. Falconer chairman. On May nth they submitted the
following report: —

Montreal, May nth, 1917

Messrs. MICHAEL H1RSCH and PETER BERCOVITCH. K
Dear Sirs:

The Committee of Inquiry appointed in accordance with the memorandum signed
by you, dated 7th March, 1917, have the honor to report as folio.

By the reference we are given power to enquire into all differences "between
employer and employee; (a) up to the moment the disagreement occurred, (b) iito all
other grievances of both parties; and it is also stated that "the Committee may make
such recommendations as in their opinion will remedy the differences or griex
arising in the future."

We have held almost daily sessions from the 24th April and at the first sitting
representatives of both parties appeared before us. For the employees it was stated
that no enquiry or report was asked with regard to the past save such as the Committee
might think necessary for the purpose of dealing with the demands under Clause (b)
or of making suggestions, and no evidence was offered.

Grievances under clause (b) were put in the form of demands as follows:

1. Union shops.

2. 46 hours to constitute a week's work.

3. A $2 increase of salary per week for all workers.

4. Time and a half for overtime.

5. Sanitary conditions in the shops.

6. To be paid for all legal holidays.

For the manufacturers witnesses were called who testified as to what had happened
in a number of instances given as illustrations of the general situation and their
grievances were summed up later as follows:

The manufacturers objected to any interference by any outside individual. <T
set of individuals, dictating to them as regards the policy on which the factory is to be
run, as regards hiring and discharge of employees, or as regards wages or manner
of employment. The manufacturers have no objection to discussing individual diffe-
rences or complaints that might arise between the particular manufacturer and 1m
particular employee or employees, and that such differences or complaints of the
employees be made either by individuals or a Committee of employees," and we were
asked to fix the blame for the strike.

Under (b) it was stated that there was nothing additional to offer, and the Com-
mittee was asked to suggest means to prevent a recurrence of interference such as
complained of.

In reply for the employees it was state that except in one or two cases covering
the incidents immediately preceding the strike in January, 1917, they were not in a
position to bring witnesses. As regards the incidents on which no testimony was
offered, their position was stated, namely: that some of the acts of interference
complained of were in accordance with what they claimed to be their rights, while
others, if they occurred, were unjustifiable.

When the employees were called on to present their case as regards the fir-t
demand made under (b) "Union Shops" the manufacturers objected that the Committee
should not deal with this question as it was not covered by the references. They
claimed that the parties to the references were fourteen named employers and the r
respective employees; that the former had throughout refused to discuss differences
with their employees with any organization and that it was understood that the Union
question would not be introduced. Your Committee by a majority of three to two,

104

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

ruled that although the reference was undoubtedly between fourteen employers and
employees, yet the breadth of its wording permitted the bringing up of this part
Kficvance, especially at it had been a real question of dr

jpon the manufacturers a: adjournments to give time for consideration.

then had no option but to proceed. nfnmmi|a|y
hear one side on

Their case was presented without calling witne»*f> - ,/ stated that reliance

was made on such facts a- -slight accept as being generally known.

<*r which could be easily ascertained by the ( -if by reteren -

Your Comt -: for the proper understanding of the case tome short

t» necessary.

there had been differences, gradually increasing in number
the manufacturers and their employee ». the majority of whom,
the case of two or three factories wrr- Members.

Shop i <anization. but elected solely ! - -iployees

of the shop or *rt m which thry them -elves worked, from time to time claimed and
insisted or - 'half of the employee*. - e decision o:

• Kres, engagement or dismissal of employees, conditions of labor and e.-

• tnces of questions in which it was admitted that the:-
unwarran

The employers consistently, save in a few cases, wheh serious trouble

- ned their position as above stated, or refusing to recognize the
organization in any way ami in many cases made special objection to the time and
rr of intr

M ally a delegate ••«. ufter warning, was dismissed for improper

.1 hrt-arh «>f discipline. The employees demanded his replacement,
.- the ground that the real reason of his dismissal was that he was an oft
the Union, and that an attempt was being made to destroy the influence o:
organization. On reinstatement being refused the employee} went ot

At this t!"ir the factory in question had on hand work under contract nearing
- ately made arrangements for its completion in other factories
These factories gave directions to their employees to complete these unfinished
articles, were met with a refusal and as a consequence there was a general cessation
of work. At thi< date there was pending no claim for increase of wages or grir
of any kind, other than as above stated.

- . of the step towards a compromise later on referred to. your Comn
iat no good purpose can - -by attempting to apportion blame for this

condition of affair

During the adjournment taken to enable the manufacturers to consider their
conferences were held between the representatives of both parties with .

•he manufacturers' withdrawal Though unsuccessful f»r that purpose
they led to a subsequent appearance before us of representatives of the manufa

ns indicating their readr ' - to me*-

• s demands and on some specific points on which the two had not been
able to come together, to abide by the Committee's decision. Although the empl

had left town it was made clear to the Committee that he took a
-•••• Me.

This action of both parties has been of great help in avoiding what might have
u long inquiry into disputed facts and in enabling us to reach an early decision
Dealing first with the specific demands made by the employees we report as
follows, taking them in reverse ord-

Po be paid for all Legal Holidays: This was admitted to be a somewhat
complicated question in local conditions and we feel that no sufficient evidence

to justify a suggestion that this demand should be acceded to:
>r that it should not now be pressed.

Your committee agrees that the employees have such a right, but in fairness to
the manufacturers concerned deems it proper to state that no specific grievance of

M put br

4 Time and a half for overtime: The Committee approve of time and a half
•:ne: all difiic noved by the manufacturers' declaration of tbdr

• > accede to this reqw

105

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

3. Forty-six hours to constitute a week's work: Your Committee recommends
that after the first of August, 1917, forty-six hours shall constitute a week's work.

2. Wages: That there has been a very heavy increase in the cost of living, one
beyond any increase that up to the date of the reference had been granted to the
employees, we think is clear. To determine exactly what advance in wages should
be approved would involve a long and difficult investigation, and the Committee is glad
to have been saved this through mutual concessions made by both parti
enable it to recommend that an immediate increase of a minimum of One Dollar per
week be granted and that the manufacturers should give special consideration to
requests that may be made for an additional increase in special cases.

A difficulty has arisen owing to a statement made to us that a number of increases
have been made since tl h, 1917. We feel that it is impossible to lay down

a general rule which will be fair in all cases, but we suggest that in all cases in
a general increase has been made since the ist of March, 1917, such increases
be deducted from any increase which may be made in order to comply with our
recommendations. By general increase we mean an increase granted to all the members
of a set of employees.

i. UNION SHOP: On some of the questions involved in this claim the Committee
cannot fairly be expected to report with the material put before ft. On the other
'ved, the suggestions made by the manufacturers and the evidence we
have of the willingness of the employees to accept for the present a partial measure
of their demands enable us to make the following recommendations to aviod future
differences: —

We suggest that a Conference Committee be established in each factory; that
this Committee be composed of one or more employees of the factory interested, not
exceeding four in all unless there be more than four sets in the factory in which
case this number may be proportionately increased; the rules governing the election
other than as herein laid down to be fixed entirely by such employees provided that
all employees shall have an equal voice.

No member of the firm, foreman or outsider shall be present at the election,
except that a foreman or member of the firm may be present if invited. Such election
to take place every six months or at the beginning of each season. Should any
employee elected refuse to act or should he leave the firm, another employee shall
be elected in his or her place.

If in any factory be a minority, however limited in number, they shall
have the right to select in any way they see fit, one additional member of the Committee.

It shall be the duty of the Committee to examine into and report upon such
requests, complaints and grievances as any worker or body of workers may have
from time to time with one another or with the firm.

The Committee shall bring these grievances to the attention of the executive
heads of the firrq, who shall after conference with the Committee, deal with them with
a view to bringing about an amicable adjustment if possible.

All mp.tters of dispute shall be dealt with out of working hours and shall be
indicated and examined in a way that will not distract the attention of employees
from their work or otherwise interfere with the operations of the factory.

e pleasure in stating that the foregoing recommendations and suggestions
while they cannot be said to embody an agreement between the parties to the reference,
are nevertheless for the most part based upon suggestions made by both in a spirit
indicating a willingness to compromise existing differences .is regards; wapres and
conditions of work and to assist as a means of adjustment of future difficult;
abstaining for the present from urging all that they think themselves entitled to.

We believe that the suggested Conference Committee will assist both employer
and employee to a better understanding of th<» other's point of view and in thi
should be of appreciable service in securing a friendly adjustment of future difficulties
and we ask that it be given a fair trial.

We feel, however, that if we left the matter here we should not be doinc: our
full duty. Our enquiry has made clear to us that underlying all difficulties and standing
in the way of both their prevention and their settlement have been:

1. The want of some means satisfactory to both employer and employee that
would permit of full and friendly discussion of differences with a view to settling them
by mutual agreement; and

2. The want of some provision for overcoming deadlocks in which unless there

IOC

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

be tome third person or body authorized to decide between conflicting views, a
frequent con^ -he lockout with their attendant suffering and

lots until the weaker is compelled to yield.

'tg the first difficulty the ( <• Committee hat been

suggested It differs .-ner practice in that it calls for presentation of

incc* through repress: >ole body of employees of the par

fact. ts bringing to bear on the discussion of any uuettion

i the influent - ho mav be able to take a broader view than the

oyee or group immediately u

The second difficulty i-. more serious and we offer no solution. Bat we suggest

<lo something towards finding at least a
• permitting a* an exj>eriroent a
reference to arbitration of some difficulty in which a deadlock has been reached.

naele elsewhere in connection with both these difficu

We express no opinion as to whether or not they have proved successful as we have
had no opportunity of informing ourselves fully about them. But we believe that
much good would come from a better knowledge of what they were and of the

•hat a careful and systematic study of these

:ts he made with the object of adopting and putting in force any ideas
successful in practice or may otherwise commend themselves as
likely to j»r«»ve useful.

Submitted as the unanimous report of the Committee.

ned) :. Chairman.

ISA DMAN,

JO1 >STER.

W. !
J. C REMMEON.

On May 14, mir members at a monster mass meeting accepted the report
of the Committtee.

The right to organize has been vindicated by our Montreal menrix

convincing manner that it is doubtful whether it will ever again be
assailed by the employers.

CONSTRUCTIVE WORK IN PHILADELPHIA

The Philadelphia clothing workers were not at the beginning in the front
ranks among the wide awake men and women in the clothing industry. While
other clothing centers were rapidly organizing, successfully rebelling against
y and affecting considerable improvements in their conditions. Phila-
delphia was looking on helplessly and hopelessly, and. true to the "rduea-
•n them by the Bil islcaders, dared not move a muscle

c rattle of their chains disturb the peace of their masters. But freedom
is contagious. Once it £ footing somewhere it spreads and "contami-

• '

\Y York, Baltimore and other clothing centers marching onward

Philadclphi? was bound, sooner or l;r n line. And it did. It repu-

diated the ursurpcrs, as did the other clothing workers throughout the
country, and began a mobilization for better working conditions.

Immediately before the General Executive Board meeting in February,
1916, the first large mass meeting was held. Lyric Hall was filled to capacity

107

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

and proved to be far too small for all who sought admission. A fighting
spirit not seen in that city for a long time asserted itself unmistakably. It
was intended to be a demonstration of the Philadelphia clothing workers.
Such demonstrations, on the eve of a big strike, arc usually dramatic. This
one. however, had also an element of the tragic in it. One of the largest
firms in the city, whose factory resembled more a penitentiary than a working
place for free citizens, fearing that its employees might hear the Union's
message at the meeting, sent its lackeys in full uniform to Lyric hall. The
purpose was not to spy on "disloyal" workers. A conspicuous uniform is a
poor disguise for a spy. The purpose was to terrorize the workers. And that
was accomplished. No sooner did an employee of that firm notice the familiar
uniform upon his entering the hall than he rushed back with all speed before
the wearer of the uniform could eye him. But while the workers were fright-
ened away from the meeting the brutal action of the masters engendered feel-
ings in them that were far from advantageous to the firm. It is not at all
unlikely that the employer's agents purposely made themselves provokingly
conspicuous with their lackey's uniforms and brazen manners in order to
"pull something off." With such a vast audience demonstrating its resent-
ment and protest against prevailing conditions the slightest provocation
might prove to be a spark in a keg of powder. It was due to the intelligence
and consciousness of the audience and the managers of the meeting that the
employers' agents did not succeed in "pulling" anything off.

A committee from District Council No. 2, appeared before the General
Executive Board, who met in February in that city, described the deplorable
conditions in the industry, and asked for permission to call a general strike.
The General Strike Executive Board, after thoroughly going into the matter,
took whatever action the situation called for and a general strike was declared
at the end of February, 1916.

As was expected, the Bible House outfit, true to their record of crime
and treason, immediately rushed to the employers with offers of assistance.
They sent letters and emissaries promising to break the strike, but they
could get no strikebreakers to carry out their promises. They also invoked
the co-operation of Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation
of Labor, who, according to newspaper reports, sent a telegram to Phila-
delphia admonishing the employers not to grant improvements in our work-
ing conditions. But promises and telegrams make no garments. Members
of the Amalgamated are required to do it.

The strike lasted about two weeks. It was wound up by an agreement
with an association of contractors, limiting the hitherto outrageously long
working week to 51 hours, and granting an increase of 15 per cent in the
wages.

Under the circumstances that was the most we dared hope for and
we got all that the most optimistic amongst us had expected.

The greatest gain, however, was the firm establishment of the organiza-

108

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

tion. The concessions st . the ser and the spirit thry ^a\ -

to amon^ the members left no d ne's mind that the Amalgamated

has come to Philadelphia t«» May It has become a factor in the indust
that city not to be dislodged by any power. But it was likewise clear that
the progress made was but the beginning of a huge task. A good idea of
what the situation in PluL the fact that a

strike of Custom Tailors in November, 1916, resulted, besides an increase in
wag« of the working w< . 70 and 80 hours to 57.

The conditions allowed to exist and constantly grow worse by the former
of disorgai .n the part . f the workers, and of irresponsibility

on the part of the officials, made of the Philadelphia clothing industry a veri-
table Augean stable. /It required Herculean efforts to g: ; Toper clean-
ing. The settlement of March, 1916, was a long step in that direction. But
still morr, very much more, remained to be done. It required patient, arduous
and continuous toil. The organization met the problem as good as it could.
I general strike became necessary: (1) in order to maintain the
fruits of the previous strike ; (2) in order to make further gains, particularly
the 48 hour week.

To those who knew Philadelphia in the years past, when sunrise, sunset
and time had no meaning for the workers in the clothing industry, a demand

cm for a 48 hour week sounded like a prim joke. Yet it was in *•
respect a reality. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Once the
Philadelphia tailors tasted the benefits of an honest and capable organiza-
Icarned how to make the most of it. The splendid victory
w York and the 48 hour movements in other clothing centers whetted
their appetite.

On January 11, 1917, the Philadelphia tailors began a general strike with
the 48 hour week as the principal issue.

On January 30, our victory was ! by the signing of an agree-

ment with an association of the smaller manufacturers for the 48 hour
week, one dollar increase in wages to the week workers and 20 per cent
increase to the piece workers.

thin a short time like settlements were made with individual firms
outside of the association, including some of the larger houses in the city.

The 1916 strike established the organization in Philadelphia and the
settlement was made with the contractors only. The 1917 strike extended our
'.iction. Settlements were made with the manufacurers and Philadelphia
was brought in line with th< iothing centers by the intro-

duction of the universal forty-eight hour week.

In the course of the past year gratifying progress has been made in the
internal affairs of the organization. Philadelphia can now boast of an
organization which it had never hoped to

109

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Philadelphia is entitled to special congratulations on the manner in
which the uniform work has been handled. The subject of military uniform
labor will be fully discussed later. We shall, then -fore, not enlarge upon it
here. But there is one matter in which Philadelphia has particularly dis-
tinguished itself in this connection. In that city our organization has
reached an understanding with the Cloakmakers Union, which is a branch of
the International Ladies' Carmen Workers Union, for full and complete co-
operation. Both organizations have jointly maintained a uniform labor
department, with a labor bureau and a staff of business agents and cl«
workers. Through that joint department both organizations have worked
harmoniously to organize the uniform workers and protect their interests to
the fullest extent. The success attained and the benefits secured for the
members of both bodies have fully compensated for the efforts made. Not
only have the conditions of the workers been greatly improved but the fra-
ternal feelings always prevailing between us and our sister organization
have been very much strengthened.

BOSTON ALIVE AND WIDE AWAKE.

We reported to our Second Convention of the conspiracy of the notorious
crew who betrayed the Boston clothing workers and brought about a lockout
in that city, in 1915, in the hope of wiping out our organization. With the
help of the employers, the official "labor leaders," the police, detectives, capi-
talist press, traitors in our own midst, and all other enemies of the working
class, they succeeded for the time being. But their joy was short lived.
While not underestimating the degree of the ruin wrought by the destruc-
tionists we lost no courage and time in taking up anew the task of again
building up the organization. With the staunch support of a handful of mem-
bers who had weathered all storms and clung to their posts in the face of all
discouragements we struggled on and our efforts were rewarded. We have
succeeded in raising a magnificent edifice on the ruins of the old one. Boston
now has a strong organization to the great chagrin of all of our enemies and
to the still greater benefit of the clothing workers in that city. Another illus-
tration of the fact that the class struggle cannot be smothered. To the
militant working class a defeat can only be temporary. So long as class rule
and the wage system continue will the workers be forced to band themselves
together in spite of all opposition and raise the banner of revolt, ever learn-
ing and profiting from past experiences.

That was what happened in Boston.

The patient, steady and systematic organization work brought new
life to the old members. They returned in a constant stream until they again
formed solid ranks in a united army.

The employers had not failed to take advantage of the organization's

110

BALTIMORE

powerlessness and reduced the working conditions to the lowest possible

level.

':e oppressive policy of the employer* and the revival of the spirit of
ncy among the workers made a general strike in that city unavoidable.

And it camr

In the first week of the st: Icments were made for fifteen hundred

members, wh med to work with the following gains: Rec-

ognition of the Unio: reduced from 52 and 54 hours, and

wage increases of ten to • ;>cr cent. Those who returned to work con-

•he support of those who remained on strike.

On the Sixth of June, 1916, an ;i n agreement was signed with

the Cl«»tlnrrs' Associ Boston, providing for a fifty hour week, a ten

per cent wage increase and machinery for the adjudication of disputes.

Boston was again in line with the organized clothing workers through-
out the r this time, however, with more life, more vigor and more
hope.

An Injunction That Materially Failed and An Injunction That Failed

to Materialize.

Here we could write the won! "i. the story of the shortest, most

fruitful and least eventful clothing workers strike in Boston, were it not for

r<led here. It was the never ending
Leopold Morse affair.

In order to throw proper light on the matter we shall quote the follow-
ing from our report to the Second Biennial Convention.

bout the same time that we smashed the conspiracy between employers and
traito :k and crowned our victory with an agreement between the manu-

facturers' association and the union, an agreement was also entered into between
the Leopold Morse Company of Boston and our organization.

"We had not solicited that agreement. There was no strike on against the firm
nor was one contemplated. All of the tailors employed by the firm were members
of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, and the firm evidently believed
that it would he to its advantage to establish a machinery for the adjudication of dis-
To which we had no objection to raise. Hence the signing of the agree-
ment.

"That was February 1st, 1915.

"On the Eighth of March, 191 5, the workers -prised by an order from

the firm to repudiate their own organization and pay tribute to the traitors lest they
forfeit their jobs.

"That came like a bolt from a clear sky. The workers were amazed. It was
beyond anyone's comprehension!

"The firm had but a few weeks ago voluntarily, without force or compulsion,
ided an agreement with the Amalgamated Gotning Workers of America. The

workers were called upon to vote upon the agreement and they did so, giving r

appr<

"They had during those few weeks no quarrels with the firm, the latter making
no change and the workers presenting no new demands. The same people
emp! firm t'v and as time of fi^.ir

apreemrnt. The firm served no notice upon the union that it would abrogate the
agreemctr : prised the workers with an order to LEAVE the Amal-

•od Clothing of America and JOIN the United Garment V.

Ill

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

America, with which later, the firm informed its employees, it had signed an agree-
ment. How the firm could sign an agreement with that body almost immediately
upon signing one with us; how the firm could sign an agreement with that so-called
union at a time that none of the tailors in its employ were aftiliatcd with it, and how
the firm could take it upon itself to choose a 'union* for the workers and 'assure'
them that that was a 'real' union while the AMALGAMATED was not, were amoiiK
the many puzzles of the situation that the workers failed to understand.

.'lie amazement of the workers grew still more when they saw a so-called
organizer of the 'union,' chosen for them by the firm, enter the shops with a re;
tativc of the firm, and under the Chairmanship of the latter attempt to haraiiL;
workers. The Judas in this case not only disgraced Organized Labor hut
masquerading in the disguise of Socialism

"The workers were curious to kno\\ why the 'organizer* could not call them
to a meeting in the usual manner in which workers are called and address the-
side of the august presence of the employer, as their own and real organizer

were likewise inquisitive as to the nature of the 'better' agreement with the
:-' union. When the agreement with our organization was drawn the workers
every word of it, deliberated and voted on it. No signature was attached t<> i:
for the union before the workers so ordered. They were anxious to know why they
could not enjoy the same rights at the hands of the 'better' union. If the firm had
the privilege of making and breaking agreements at r-rt will why could not

the workers exercise their rights when the new agreement was made by somebody for
them' But those were curiosities that neither the firm nor the 'organizer, ' both of
whom acted in admirable unison, was capable of gratifying. The Dr. Jekyl masque
was quickly dropped and the firm and 'organizer' appeared in the full hideousness
of Mr Hyde. A few of the workers, the influence of whose presence was very much
feared by both parties to the game of fettering the workers, were shanghaied away
from the factory and a safe distance were told that they were discharged. The
remaining workers were told bluntly and brutally that unless they stab their own
organization in the back and go back to those who had betrayed them in the past,
- would be condemned to starvation.

"The workers, prompted by the feeling of resentment at the black act of treason
against them, told the traitor who he was, showed the firm that workers are no
contraband goods that may be stolen and passed on to pirates, and left the shops in
a body. That was a splendid demonstration of what workers could da if imbued with
a consciousness of self respect.

it it was not the good fate of the Boston lockout to wind up so gloriously
in favor of the workers as did the New York lockout about one month earlier."

The Leopold Morse "Union" had given the firm carte blanche to impose
on the workers such conditions as it saw fit. The firm reciprocated by lending
Distance to the "Union" in the latter's efforts to keep the workers effectively
muzzled, docile and submissive in the interests of both the firm and its "union."
But somehow the workers could not be made dependable. They were bitter
against the firm and cursed its "union."

Under such circumstances it was little wonder that the doubly enslaved
Leopold Morse workers were caught by the strike spirit the moment the
general strike in Boston was proclaimed.

We did not call them. We had quite sufficient work in the general field
ai d were not in a position voluntarily to take up something that was bound
to make our task more difficult. But the Leopold Morse workers came out of
their own volition. The courage and spirit of their fellow workers gave strength
to those slaves. They quit work in a body in spite of the strenuous efforts of
the officials of the firm's "union" to hold them back. They went straight to
the headquarters of their "enemy," the Amalgamated Gothing Workers of
America. Our striking members naturally received them with joy and delight

That was not the first test of the great "moral" value of the agreement

112

BALTIMOR* CONVKNTION

Leopold Morse Co. and the United Garment Workers, but it
was the first of such magnitude

Instead of appc ponsible" officers of the "union" to live

up to its agreement the firm took the strange course of appealing to the
courts to compel us to enforce its agreement with the United Garment
Workers. In its petition for an injunction against us the firm related of the
existence of the agreement, and stated that one of the provisions was to
the effect that "Should the employees of the company stop work in violation
of this agreement the Union agrees to order their return to work or to fur-

satisfact » *.r place."

Why did : firm demand of the "Union" to carry

men'

Those who know .-my thing at all about the labor movement know that
a union who enters into an agreement with an employer guaranteeing that
"should the employees of the company stop work the union would order
return or furnish others in their place," must be in a position to exercise
sufficient moral authority over its members to enforce such guarantee. It is
clearly the business of the contracting union to sec to it that the members
ins of the contract. It alone is responsible for it. But in
this case the firm did not complain to the court that the organization which
is a party to the agreement was < ; it but that some other organization.

not a party to the contract, was guilty of such violation. The firm complained
"that all or nearly all of said employees were willing to continue in plain-
tiff's employ, but for the acts of the defendants and the members of the
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America" who had "illegally, wrongfully
and improperly pursuadcd and induced employees of the plaintiff who were
members of the Union to break the contract entered into between the
tiff and the Union." Indeed, a most unusual complaint for an employing
firm to make to a court of 1 .e strange procedure becomes still more

stranpe when we learn that the firm admitted that it did not ask its own
"Union" to carry out the agreement before applying to the court for an
order to compel us to carry it out. The strange procedure becomes exceed-
ingly amusing when we remember that that same firm deliberately, inten-
tionally and maliciously broke its agreement with our organization in order
to make a "better one" with the United Garment Workers, and then
demanded of us, whose agreement it broke, to enforce for the United Gar-
ment Workers its agreement with the firm because the United Garment
Workers was incapable of <!

Our attorney asked the firm to produce along with the U. G. W. agr
ment also the agreement it had made with us and broke, in order to make
the case complete. But the firm did not think it wise to do so. If the case

resented by the firm to the court meant anything at all it meant that
while the firm was in a position to force its slaves to pay tribute to its
"union" it was not in a position to destroy their spirit of loyalty to our
organization. All that the firm's "union" can succeed in getting from its

lit

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

"members," and in an ever increasing measure, is enmity, heartfelt, soul <lt>q>
and unqualified enmity. \\ tint the only hope for the workers in the

indu \malgamated Clothing Workers of AHUM

In its injunction application the firm repeated ad nauseum the story
that the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America refused to permit its
employes to carry out the contract between it and its "union." It finally
asked that we be enjoined not only from refusing permission to men
of the firm's "union" to carry out that "union's" contract, but also from ask-
ing them to leave the firm's "union" and become members of our organiza-
tion.

At this juncture it may be well to quote a very significant passage from
the report of the Master to whom the court referred the case for examination.
It was as follows:

. Y OF THE EMPLOYEES OF THE PLAINTIFF ARE DIS-
SATISFIED WITH THE MEMBERSHIP IN THE UNION (UNITED
GARMENT WORKERS), OR WITH THEIR EARNINGS OR CONDI-
TIONS OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE SHOPS OF THE PLAINTIFF."

The firm's pitiful prayer for an injunction only served to show the plight
it was in. But instead of the very sweeping injunction that it had asked for
it received one so utterly useless that it could find in it not the least consola-
tion.

The injunction as granted to the firm by Justice Morton of the Superior
Court was as follows:

"They arc enjoined and restrained from preventing or attempting to prevent per-
•ons now or hereafter in the employ of Leopold Morse Company who are or
hereafter be under contract as members of the United Garment Workers of America
from working or continuing in the employ of the Leopold Morse Company by picket-
ing in and around any of these shops of the Leopold Morse Company, or preventing or
attempting to prevent by the use of violence, force, coercion, intimidation, threats or
persuasion, such persons now or hereafter in the employ of the Leopold Morse
Company from being employed or continuing in that employment."

Our attorney in Boston, George E. Roewer, Jr., made the following com-
ment in a letter to us informing us of the injunction :

"This did not satisfy counsel for Leopold Morse for the reason that they wanted
to prevent us from accepting members of the United Garment Workers into our
organization and to compel us to relinquish all of those who have deserted the
United Garment Workers and joined our organization since the beginning of the
general strike in Boston.

"The injunction simply prevents us from inducing by picketing or by the use
of violence people now or hereafter working for the Leopold Morse Company who
arc under contract "as members of the United Garment Workers of
Since there arc very few now working in the shops of Leopold Morse Company who
are under contract, and since this injunction does not apply to those who have
already left the shops of the Leopold Morse Company, and who are not now under
contract with them, it is apparent that the injunction is of no practical value to the
Leopold Morse Company.

"In other words we are not permitted to induce persons who are now under
contract to work for Leopold Morse, all other persons we can induce by picketing to
join our organization "-kirip for the Leopold Morse Company.

"The injunction which the Leopold Morse Company desired contained eleven
hundred words. They started proceedings on May 24th and expected to obtain an
injunction immediately, but they received no assistance from the Courts until June

BALTIMORE CONVENTION*

and at thr injum lion will not affect the itrike one way or the other I have no
object

On June 24, some time ar n the entire industry had beeo

settled and the workers were all back at work, the firm was still struggling to
uployees back. Though the injunction did not materialize in the
swe? i 'i\ desired t company still tried its hand in utilizing the

injunction as it was in order to intimidate its striking employees into
•ling back to work and, incidentally, deliver a blow to our organization.
firm on above date instituted contempt proceedings against
our local tl officers and other active members, charging them

.; the injunction. In September, 1916, all those cases were dis-
missed.

th the help of the official "labor leaders" the firm again succeeded in

breaking the resistance of its workers to slavery and oppression. The workers

remember well all the crimes committed against them by the firm's "union"

and they will also remember them when the Day of Judgment will come for

Judas Iscariots.

Boston does not seem to have a favorable atmosphere for injunction
culture. That has, at any rate, been our experience. Bad as the Leopold
.my fared the story of another firm's injunction venture is still
worse,

On January 2, 1917, the Barren Anderson Company wished to begin the
New Year with a clean slate and therefore filed a petition for an injunction
against us as the simplest and most direct means of winding up the strike
that was then being conducted against it. The Judge thought that arbitra-
tion might be a better way of doing it and suggested it to both parties. We
accepted the suggestion immediately and the firm took it under considera-
tion. On January 26, after the firm had uselessly waited for signs of
weakening in the strike, it decided to accept the Judge's view and settled the
strike by arbitration.

Steady Progress in Boston

In October, 1916, the custom tailors in Boston struck for the 48 hour

week and got it; also a ten per cent increase in • iges. Since then the

48 hour week has been made general for the clothing industry in that city.

Boston distinction of having the first overall workers locaJ under

JUT bam. t is local union 150. In November, 1916, that local h.

-trike and succeeded in making the following gains: Recognition of
the union, reduction of the working week to 50 hours from anywhere between
54 and 60 and increases in wages. The local had another strike in November.
the 48 hour week and a ten per cent increase in wages. Shortly
before this convention they secured a further ten per cent increase without a
strike.

A general wage increase of 10 to 13 per cent was won by negotiation
from the Clothing Manufacturers' Association of Boston, May 31, 1917. On
September 20, 1917, the agreement with the association was renewed, making

115

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

the 48 hour week definite and general. The agreement will continue in force
until May, 1919.

During the past two years Boston has given a good account of itself and
we are confident that it will continue doing so.

EFFECTIVE WORK AND ENCOURAGING RESULTS IN SMALLER

PLACES.

\\> rann.-t pass Boston without paying our respects to the robust and
lively organization in Worcester, Mass., which is. for our organization pur-
poses, in a sense a part of Greater Boston. The pantsmakers in that city,
the only clothing branch there, are well organized and doing splendid work
in promoting and protecting their conditions. By a strike in July, 1916,
it increased wages and reduced the working hours from 60 to 55. That was
for Worcester an unprecedented victory. But progress was made so rapidly
that in September. 1917, the 50 h«"ir \\.-(k was established through a g<
strike of one week, securing also wage increases. Our Boston organi/
has frequently assisted its Worcester sister local. We are particularly
grateful to Brother Lazarus Marcovitz, secretay of the Joint Board of Bos-
ton, who is always ready to represent us in Worcester whenever our assis-
tance is equired.

In this connection we may point out that the small towns and country
places outside of and away from the larger clothing centers have progress in
the future. We can point with pride to such places as Vineland, also
Passaic, N. J., where the workers are under the jurisdiction of the Children's
Clothing Joint Board of New York, Woodbine, and Norma, N. J. We have
good organizations in those towns, alive and active. We have also made
progress in Norwich, Conn. The workers in all those places had always
been used as strikebreakers, particularly against New York and Philadelphia.
Sometimes the workers were unconscious of what they were doing against
their fellow workers. It is different now. Not only do the workers refuse
to act as strikebreakers because of their better understanding and of their
sense of solidarity but they are also steadily improving their own conditions.

THE PRESENT SITUATION IN CHICAGO.

Chicago had a most sensational year in 1915, when its general strike
was the headliner in the clothing industry for three long months. A com-
plete report of that memorable struggle was made to our 1916 convention.
Over two thousand arrests were made. A number of those cases were still
pending at the time of our last convention. They included charges of murder
and conspiracy. They have all been dismissed since. The fact that there
was not a single conviction on all of those most serious charges shows to
what lengths our enemies went in their desperate efforts to prejudice the
public mind against us and destroy our organization.

While our Second Convention was in session in Rochester we received
the report of a cutter strike in Chicago. We did not wish another

116

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

big fight in that city so soon after the battle of 1915. But the As

members precipitated the strike among the cutters by discharging all those
of whom the firms lean II organization, who included

in their number such as had failed to go out with us in the big strike of
1915. We considt rol it .,m «lut> to stand by the striking workers in spite of
the past errors of a number of them, and our org.i :s fullest

support to the strikers in their demand for the reinstatement of their dis-
charged brothers. All cutters and trimmers walked out and fought bravely
for v k But conditions were not such as to make a favorable

outcome possible tight was a credit to the cutters even if the desired

rcsv; d.

On May 12, 1916, three days after the strike had begun, Judge Frederick
:nith, of the Circuit Court of Cook County, issued the most sweeping
injunction ever granted by a court to employers against their striking em-
ployees. The court enjoined our organization and the strikers from doing
-.ruing to work on tin* employers' conditions. The fact
that the strikers held out for seven long weeks in the face of that injunction,
besides other serious obstacles, is proof of the bitterness that had accumulated
r breasts of the workers during the years of unmitigated slavery under
the barbaric despotism of the industrial tyrants who still rule with the iron
rod of the blacklist.

The peculiar spirit of justice and conception of equality before the law

ich the injunction was issued against us may be seen from the fact

that while no hearing at all was granted us before issuing the temporary

order the hearing for making the injunction permanent was set for the end of

Ive weeks after the date of the temporary injunction. That was

justice with a vengeance!

We herewith reproduce the injunction in full:

INJUNCTION WRIT

In the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois.
B. 20601

& Company, a corporation; Rosen wald and Weil, a corporation;
'pold, Solomon & Eisendrath. a corporation; Hirsch. Wickwire Co., a corpora-
tion; Schoenberg Bros., a corporation; Ederheimer Stein Company, a corpora-
tion; Kuhn, Nathan & Fischer Co . a corporation; Chas Kaufman and Aaron K
man. partners, doing business as Chas. Kaufman & Bros.; Alfred Decker. Abe Cohn
and A. G. Peine, partners, doing business as Alfred Decker & Cohn; Joseph
Mayer, Edward Mayer and Milton Mayer, partners, doing business as Mayer
Bros.; Solomon L. Abt, Herman Abt and Jacob Abt. partners, doing business
as L. Abt & Sons,

Complain aatft,

VS.

Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, a voluntary association, herer

referred to as the union; Sidney Hillman, individually and as president of said
union; Samuel Levin, individually and as manager of the Chicago joint board of
said union; Frank Rosenblun .ally and as member of the general execu-

- board of the said union; Sam Rissman, individually and as president of Local
61 of said union; A. P. Marimpietri, individually and as member of the general
executive board of said union; Stephen Skala, individually and as organizer of
said union: Hyman Schneid. individually and as organizer of said union: Jacob
Pot of sky. individually and as treasurer of the joint board of said union; Sam
nry Friedman: S. Rubin; I \k; B. Kleisner: E. Sestak; O. B.

Rohden; Jos. Gregor; G. Lagerholm; W. Kobleski; George Carroll; Harry Wicks;

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Joe Abrams; Arnold Abel; Frank Niematz; Harry Goldberg; Frank Hanus; Joe

Tomanck; E. Ulmcr; Robert Kucera; William Runge; Jack Nussbaum; Sam

Singer; Sam Goldberg; individually and as members and representatives of said

union and the local branches thereof,

Defendants.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS:

To Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, a voluntary association, herein-
after referred to as the union; Sidney Hillman, individually and as president of said
union; Samuel Levin, individually and as manager of the Chicago Joint Board of said
Union; Frank Koscnblum, individually and as member of general executive board
of the said union; Sam Rissman, individually and as president of Local No. 61 of
said union; A. D. Marimpietri, individually and as member of the general executive
board of said union; Stephen Skala, individually and as organizer of said union;
Jacob Potofsky, individually and as treasurer of the joint board of said union; Sol
Barnctt; Henry Friedman; S. Rubin; L. Kanak; B. Klcisncr; E. Scstak O. B. Rohden;
Jos. Gregor; G. Lagerholm; W. Koblcski; George Carroll; ; Joe Al>

Arnold Abel; Frank N Harry Goldberg BUS; .lor

Ulnier; Robert Kucera; William Runge; Jack Nussbaum; Sam Singer; Sam Goldberg,
individually and as members and representatives of said union and the local branches
thereof, defendants, and to all associations, firms and persons, assisting, aiding,
confederating or conspiring with them, or HAVING KNOWLEDGE HEREOF, and
to each and every one of them, GREETING:

\Y HERE AS. it hath been represented to the Honorable Judges of the Circuit
Court of Cook County in the State aforesaid, on the part of B. Kuppenheimer &
Company, a corporation; Rosenwald and Weil, a corporation; Leopold Solomon &
Eisendrath, a corporation; Hirsh, Wickwirc Co., a corporation; Schocnberg Bros,
a corporation; Ederheimer, Stein Company, a corporation; Kuhn, Nathan & Fischer
Co., a corporation; Chas. Kaufman and Aaron Kaufman, partners, doing business
as Chas. Kaufman & Bros.; Alfred Decker, Abe Cohn & A. G. Peine, partners,
doing business as Alfred Decker & Cohn; Joseph Mayer, Edward Mayer and Milton
Mayer, partners, doin^ cr Bros.; Solomon L. Abt, Herman II. Al>i,

and Jacob H. Abt, partners, doing business as L. Abt & Sons, complainants, in their
certain bill of complaint, exhibited before said Judges, and filed in said court against
you, the said above named defendants, among other things, that you are combining
and confederating with others to injure the complainant, touching the matter set
forth in said bill, and that your actings and doings in the premises arc contrary to
equity and good conscience. And Honorable Frederick A. Smith, one of said judges,
having entered an order that a Writ of Injunction issue out of said Court, according
to the prayer of said bill. We, therefore, in consideration thereof, and of the par-
ticular matters in said bill set forth, DO STRICTLY COMMAND YOU, the said
above named defendants, and the persons before mentioned, and each and every one
of you, that you do absolutely DESIST AND REFRAIN:

From in any manner interfering with, hindering, obstructing or stopping the
business of the complainants, respectively, or of their respective agents, servants
or employees in the operation of the business of the complainants, respectively;

From picketing or maintaining any picket or pickets at or near the promises
of the complainants, respectively, or along the routes followed by the employees
of the complainants, respectively, in going to and from their homes and to and from
the place of business of the complainants, respectively;

From watching or spying upon the complainants' places of business, and upon the
employees of the complainants, resp- and from watching or spying upon those

who enter or leave said places of business, or who seek to enter the employment
of the complainants, respectively, or who seek to do business with the complainants,
respectively;

From assaulting or intimidating by threats or otherwise the employees of the
complainants, respectively, or any persons who may become or seek to become
employees of tl*c - nts, rcsj

From congregating about, or near the places of business of the complainants,
respectively, or ?.ny place where the employees of the complainants, respectively,
are lodged or boarded, for the purpose of compelling, inducing or soliciting the
employees of the complainants, respectively, to leave their employment or to refuse
to work for the complainants, respectively, or for the purpose of preventing, or
attempting to prevent, persons from freely entering into the employment of the
complainants, respectively;

From entering upon the grounds or places where the employees of the com-
plainants, respectively, are at work for the purpose, or with the effect, of hindering,
interfering with or obstructing the business of such employees or of the complainants,
respectively;

118

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

From interfering with, or attempting to hinder the complainants, respectively,
in ca >n their respect way;

From following the employee! of the complainants, res, to their ho:

or to <>r from calling upon such employees for the purpose, or with the

effect, of inducinK them to lei\ • complainant*, respec.

or for the purpose, or with the effect of : jch employees or

their families;

or promise of money, employment or other reward*.

Fr< ting or maintaining any boycott or boycotts against the complainant*.

From compelling or inducing, or attempting to compel or induce, any of the
employees of t .man is. r >se or to fail to do their ..

m sending any circulars or other communications to customers of the com-
<>r to other persons who might deal or transact business with

the complainants, respectively, for the purpose, or with the effect of dissuading such
us from so d<

h subjects any of the complainants' employees to ha1
sgrace or annoyance because of their employment t

complainants. resp<- util this Honorable Court in Chancery sitting, shall make

order to the contrary. Hereof fail not, under penalty of what the law directs.
To the Sheriff of said County to execute and return in due form of law.

(Seal) ness, JOHN W. RA : Oerk of the said Court and

the Seal thereof, at Chicago, aforesaid, this 12th day of May.
A. D. 1916.

JOHN W. RAINEY. C)
DUDLEY TAILOR.

SILBER. ISAACS. SILBER & WOLEY,
Solicitors for Complainants.

lie who will succeed in improving on this injunction as an instrument
for c earned immoi •

The big strike of 1915 broke the ground so completely that nothing can
close it again to pr< seeds of our propaganda, provided

the ( : t up steadily. Chicago now needs patient, con-

tinuous and nt constructive work. This work is now being done.

It has al <d results. The prospects are good for more effective

work and more encouraging results in the future.

Inroads have been made into m he industry. Thus the

bushclmsn in the department stores on State street and the Northwest Side
have been organized, their considerably reduced and their

wages raised. Agreements have been made with the Associated Whole-
Tailors, emploving about 1500 workers and with others of the smaller
houses.

In 1 n New York made the 48 hour

rd wuj) ic indu>- asked for the same

standard in the factories t Schaffncr & Marx. The provisions of our

agreement of May 1, 1916. make such a change possible during the life of

the agreement. In those factories and in others the 48 hour week was estab-

'1 by our direct jurisdiction; in the non-union houses it was introduced

by our indirect juri i e. the fear of the employers that refusal to

-"voluntarily," of course — would add strength to the Union. The

of the v. continr the injunction and blacklist em-

In May. 1917. we asked for a wage increase for the employees of Hart

tit

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Schaffner & Marx. The Board of Arbitration granted a ten per cent increase,
rendering the following interesting opinion :

An application is made to the Board of Arbitration of the Hart Schaffner &

agreement for a readjustment of the wage scale adopted for the three year

period succeeding May 1, 1916. The application is made by the workers, and is based

on the clause of the agreement entitled "Emergency Powers," which is as follows:

"If there shall be a general change in wages or hours in the clothing industry,

which shall be sufficiently permanent to warrant the belief that the change is no't

temporary, then the board shall have power to determine whether such change is of

so extraordinary a nature as to justify a consideration of the question of making a

change in the present agreement, and, if so, then the Board shall have power to make

such changes in wages or hours as in its judgment shall be proper."

The claims of the workers were explained to the Board by Mr. Sidney Hillman,
international president of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. He stated
that the application was made primarily because of the enormously increased cost of
living which had so diminished the pu power of money that it

tually equivalent to a reduction in wages. He stated also that in response to this
condition wages had been generally advanced in the clothing industry, that so far as
human foresight could perceive the condition was a permanent one, and that the extra-
ordinary situation which existed fully met the requirements of the provision of the
agreement under which application for a readjustment of wages was brought. He
made no specific demand, nor did he expect a full equivalent for the losses sustained
by the workers by reason of war prices and conditions, but he maintained that a
measure of relief should be granted, and that the workers should not be required
to bear all the burden of a common calamity.

The company, through its representatives, acknowledged the claim of increased
cost of living but called attention to the fact that since 1915 the average earnings of
the people had increased from thirty to thirty-five per cent., due to the fuller employ-
ment brought about by a larger volume of business.

More important, however, was the fact that the goods in the process of manu-
facture for the fall season were already sold at prices that were agreed on before the
present claim was made, and this fact should be taken into consideration by the
arbitrators in adjudicating the case.

The Board of Arbitration approaches the decision of the question submitted to
it with a deep sense of responsibility. The cause of our common distress is a national
calamity which it is not in the power of the Board to remove or ameliorate. All
that it has power to do is to readjust the burden so that it may not fall too heavily
on the weaker party.

It admits the truth of the claim that any advance granted in midseason must
come out of the company, and it recognizes the fact that ordinarily, increased wages
should be added to the cost of the goods, and passed on to the consumer. But this
is an extraordinary occasion. The workers have already suffered heavily in the
diminished purchasing power of their wages, and throughout the clothing and other
industries wage increases have been made in response to the war prices which afflict
the country. The Board believes that, on reflection, the company can hardly expect
to pass through the present war crisis and not share a part of the loss which falls
so heavily on its workers, and, indeed, on all members of the community. It accord-
ingly decides that the company shall pive its workers a general advance of ten per
cent to be paid in the following manner:

All workers under the jurisdiction of this Board, except the cutters, shall receive
a horizontal advance in wages of ten per cent, to take effect July 1, 1917.

The cutters shall receive an equivalent of ten per cent converted into a uniform
flat weekly increase, which is agreed to be $2.35 per week for each cutter, whether
temporary or permanent, and also apprentices. In view of the fact that other depart-
ments have received more direct advances of wages than the cutters, it is decided
that the cutters' increase shall go into effect on June 1, 1917.

It is decided that these increases shall be recorded separately by the company;
that it shall take the place of the increase of pay asked for on behalf of the week
workers in the tailor shops: and in the event of any other rbim being made under the
emergency clause of the agreement, that such claims must be made in advance
of sales for the affected season being made by the company in order to be entitled
to recognition by the Board of Arbitration.

In the case of week-workers, the increase shall be calculated from the pay roll
of the last week in May, 1917.

June 2. 1917.

120

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

With the spectre of the union always before them the Association houses
vise announced a ten per cent increase to their employees, hoping in that
way to continue k< out from the organization.

When negotiations uith the firm of Hart Schaffner & Marx for a wage
increase were taken up thi-, *pring the Association houses thought they would
a march on us by announcing t notary" wage increase before the

union had an op port he increase to the employees of Hart

Schaffner & Marx. They considered that particularly good policy this time
because • . c organization campaign that has developed of late. Accord-

ingly they announced a ten per • crease. But those increases are mis-

leading. In the first place, they are not given as increases but as bonuses.
As such they may b» .iwn at any time. In the second place, while the

>yers speak of ten per cent, those so-called increases actually amount to
abount seven per cent. The increases or bonuses arc computed not upon the
basis of the wages as paid at the time the increase is granted but of wages as
they existed before the series of fraudulent increases began. On the other
hand, the increases secured by us are bona fide as they arc not bonuses and
become incorporated into the wage scale. In the case of the Association the
wage scale at best rcmai .nary in spite of all M-S" ; in our case

every increase permanently raises the wage scale.

.liter the Association employers announced their fake ten per cent.
wage c we reached an agreement with the firm of Hart Schaffner &

Marx for a ten and fifteen per cent, increase as is shown by the following
report we received from the Chicago organization :

For the second time during the life of the present agreement between Hart
Schaffner & Marx and the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, it b*c
necessary to demand an i; :i wages due to the high cost of living,

CM the present agreement was signed in May, 1916, a 10 per cent, increase
secured and distributed by the Union to the many sections, giving higher r
the lower paid sections. In the fall of 1916, a 2 per cent, increase was added to the
workers on account of reducing the hours from 49 to 48 per week. In May.
1917, an additional 10 per cent, increase .red through the Arbitration Board

and was applied horizontally throughout the shops.

Some time ago it became evident that another increase was essential in order to

keep up, somehow, with the constantly rising cost of commodities. Accordingly, a

demand for a wage increase was made. The Joint Board found it advisable to call our

.t! President. Brother Sidney Hillman. to Chicago, and to conduct the negotia-

Ilr arrived in Chicago on Monday, April 22. and immediately proceeded to make

arrangements that resulted in a conference called * F William*, the Chairman

of the Board of Arbitration, at which the representatives of the Amalgamated and

the firm \sr:<- j-n-vrut V ms presided.

In justice to t? - "f the company, it must be said that from the

the necessity of giving an increase to keep, as they stated.

• contented and happy and each of the high prices. This * - ,.

the c.i Mons \\< T limited to a discussion of how much the firm could gire

.p with its competitors; how little could the workers accept under the

circumstances; and how could the increase be applied to be of equal benefit to all

workers' After a long bt; nendly discussion the following agreement was

read

INCREASE IN WAGES

A conference of the chairman of the Board of Arbitration with repre*
tives of Hart Schaffner & Marx and the Amalgamated Clothing \ of

America reports an addition to wages in the form of a payment to be made
during the life of the present agreement, in addition to the increase granted in
June and July, 1917.

KK5: All cutters, ipp- temporary and regular, on the pay roll

121

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

on May 2, 1918, shall be granted an additional increase at the rate of $3 per
48-hour week, beginning ' '18.

TRIMMING ROOM: All employes of the trimming room on the trimmers'
pay roll on May 2, 1918, shall be granted an additional increase at the rate of $3
per 48-hour week, beginning May 2, 1918.

TAILOR SHOPS: All week workers in the tailor shops on May 2, 1918,
whose work is directly productive, not including foremen, section heads, exam-
iners or attendants, shall receive an increase at the rate of $3 per 48-hour week,
beginning on the first day of the pay roll week after May 1. Persons who arc
working at piece rate operations on a minimum weekly guarantee shall be
considered as piece workers.

INCREASE IN WAGES: All piece workers in the coat, vr-t ami trousers
factories beginning on the first day of the pay roll week after May 1, 1918. shall
be paid ?.n additional percentage on t! earnings, including the ten

per cer- • of 1917, as folio

A list of section 1 by the sub-committee, which includes all

'•ly lower earning* during the past, shall
v be granted an additional payment of fifteen per

Sections not in --hided in the above list shall be granted an additional
payment of ten per cent.

Thr njrrr received and approved by the Joint Board and

it will a great stimulus in t!ie r>- .;n of on

on in this city. The Amalgamated in this < again, true to its pf

equality, thought of the lower paid workers, as it can be seen that a much larger
increase was given to those sections earning less, thus gradually raising them to a
level of equality with the higher paid workers.

The above increases were announced at a very successful May Day cele-
bration of the Chicago Joint Board at Guyon's Paradise.

TORONTO THE FIRST TO SECURE A REAL EIGHT-HOUR DAY.

Toronto is next to Montreal as a clothing center in the Dominion of
Canada. The experiences of the Toronto Clothing Workers with organization
matters in previous years were in line with those of all other clothing cen-
ters. When we entered the field we found the workers discouraged and hope-
less. After the usual hardships of pioneering we succeeded in arousing a
strong sentiment for organization. The situation developed steadily until the
organization was ready for action to secure improvements in the working
conditions of its members. Immediately after the conclusion of the Mont-
real strike, in March, 1917, the Toronto Joint Board sent a set of demands
to the employers. On March 22, 1917, the demands were granted as follows:
A 44-hour week, reduced from 49, and a wage increase of one dollar a week.
A compromise was made in the wage increase, the demand having been for

In Toronto as elsewhere our members considered a bigger reduction
in the working hours as of relatively greater importance than a larger in-
crease in wages.

As already mentioned above Toronto holds the palm for the shortest
working week. It is the first, and so far the only city in the clothing
industry in North America to have a real eight-hour day, a forty-four hour
week. Nor was a big fight necessary to get it.

In Toronto, the same as in other clothing cities, all local unions are
welded together by a Joint Board, which is the central body in the city. The
Joint Board is always active, dealing with organization and individual prob-

122

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

lems as they present themselves and the members appreciate the benefits

efforts.

Canada, which i* near Toronto, was also brought within
our folds. There we succeeded in establishing the 48-hour week and secur-
ing wage increases. Conditions were not as favorable there as they we-
Ton- establishment of the 44-hour week.

In July, I'M 6 1 1 of Davis Bros., locked out its employees. The

weeks.

Dundas. a small • -i. with om- clothing factory, was

organized by tlu H.ii:iilt« n local and made a branch of it

TRAITORS AT WORK IN ST. LOUIS.

The clothing vorkcrs in St. Louis have had more than their full share

:aitors. A number of years

ago the rank and isrulc and corruption. In its efforts

to destroy oppov 1 stifle criticism the ruling clique revoked charters

of locals and blacklisted members. An agreement was forced on the workers
of one firm which meant slavery and oppression to them.

The ma! »m the destinies of the three thousand workers in the

industry had been entrusted, fought bitterly, as head of the Knights of
Labor in that cit >rescntativcs came some twenty-three years ago

to dt- ( K. of L. locals of the clothing workers by forming rival organi-

zaion ncceeded the "vanquished" assimilated himself with the

"conquerors" so well that you cann- < 11 «mr fn»m the other.

The spirit of the St. Louis clothing workers seemed so low as a result
of all they had gone through that we were greatly surprised when we received
from them a charter application in May, 1916, shortly after our last conven-

The workers who formed the Amalgamated local were no members of
the United Garment Workers and were employed by the firm of Loth and

The U. G. W., who were quite willing to let the workers stay unor-
ganized, were touched to the quit jealized that the workers
joined our organ ••ikebreaking crew quickly succeeded in con-
:ie firm that it will l>e to its advantage to force its employees into the
"Union" they did not wish to join. Accordingly, the firm suddenly dis-
covered that it entertained a special ;>ffecti«»n for "organized labor" and
workers to withdraw from our organization and join the firm's
"urn The first man who refused was promptly discharged. That was
June 29, 1916. The other workers met and decided to defend their right to

ig to their own union. On June 30, the entire force, nearly three hundred
in number, half of them worm: : out on strike demanding the rein-

statement of their fellow worker and the right to be organized.

The scab agency relieved the firm of the task of fighting the strikers;
it took over that noble mission itself. All efforts of the scab agency to fill

123

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

the shop with scabs having failed f<>r more than a month the agency decided

to be good to the strikers and give them an opportunity to make good the

bargain struck between the agency and the firm. On July 5, they sent

warning to the strikers that unless they returned to work by July 12th,

their places would be filled with other workers. Note, it was not thr struck

firm that sent that warning, nor was it the firm that did many of the other

criminal things against the workers; n<>. it was not the firm, it was the firm's

"union." The workers, in self-r< lid not reply to the scab ai^-ncy's

•rung, and continued the strike long after the 12th of July.

Threats having failed the firm's "union" changed its tactics. It opened

!la warfare against the striker ng them up at every occasion,

treating, in that men and women on a basis of equality. The fol-

S quotation from one of the r by us will serve as an

illustration.

'This was an awful day. The U. G. W. of A gangsters, about 40 in number,
•lugged our pickets at every opportunity, with the police winking. Total arrests for
the day, eight. The picketing is done by girls only now."

Please remember again that that was done not by the firm but by its
"union."

Not only were the strikers beaten up by the scab agency's sluggers
but they were also persecuted by the politicians, with whom the scab agency
has exercised considerable influence. Throughout the strike large numbers
of strikers were arrested, big fines were paid and several of our members
were sent to jail, where they were compelled to spend some time before we
succeeded in liberating them.

Some local politicians who are posing as socialists, one of whom is the
editor of a local labor paper, assisted the strikebreaking agency against the
strikers.

The wonder is not that the strike was lost. The wonder is that the young
local organization, just formed, displayed such wonderful fighting spirit
and vitality as to hold out about three months against such terrible odds.

We now have a good nucleus in St. Louis and are confident that sooner
or later St. Louis, too, will be a well organized clothing center.

IN THE SUNNY SOUTH— LOUISVILLE.

Few of our members knew that Louisville, Ky., had any sort of cloth-
ing industry worth speaking of. We had never heard of a clothing workers
organization or a strike in that city. In our minds Kentucky had been so
much associated with romance and folksong that it would have seemed almost
a sacrilege to think of the "Old Kentucky Home" as housing an industry
that was built on sweat shopism as its cornerstone, and of "Kentucky Eyes"
as those of a garment maker stitching her life away for $3.50 a week.

We know better now.

Somehow the romanticism and poetry of Old Kentucky have failed
to afford the workers any protection from overwork, underpayment and other

124

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

When the rising cost of living began to press too forcibly on ihe
waist line, and new holes had to be pierced in the belt, the workers, though
unorganized, made demands for higher wages, and receiving no satisfaction
were compc .ike action. The employees of the largest firm in the

• -rmulatc demands. They asked

for a wages. When that was refused they all

t out or. • . 250 strong.

Some . ! the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of

i tea, and sent us a request for help. We directed Bro. Samuel Levin of

go to i vi lie and make an investigation. He found a

mostly women, who were ready to organize

and stay organized. Bro Frank Roscnblum was then placed in charge of the

1 "ii the ground until the end of the year when the
ended.

It was found that th^ ample room for improvement in the working

cond 'ding houses in the city. As soon as a local union was

fon task of securing improvements was undertake

The is mailed to all clothing manufacturing firms,

including th • . rn :

Louiiville. Ky . July 20. 1917.
Gen'

4 copy of the demand* formulated and adopted by tne
Clot! of I .GUI- Meeting held Thursday evening. July 19.

". your employees participated.

The undersigned was instructed to foruurd the demands to the Clothing Manu-
facturers of 1 - .< st for a conference.

It »s t) <>rkers and their officers to maintain peace with

honor . Industry in tin* city, and. with that object in view, we re-

spectfully ask that you give tier your careful consideration and prompt atten-

tion, and meet us in conference for the purpose of adjusting any and all questions

ae.

Trusting this will meet with your approval, and that you will favor us with an
early reply on or before Tuesday. July 24 I am

pectfully yours,

FRANK ROSENBL
Member General Executive Board.
Amalgamated Clothing \Vor,
of America.

DEMANDS FORMULATED BY LOUISVILLE CLOTHING WORKERS AT
MASS MEETING HELD THURSDAY EVENING, JULY 10, 1917.

AT ! A. HALL.

1 48 hours shall constitute a week's work.

2. Time and one-half shall be paid for overtime.

3. A general increase in wages of IS per cent.

num wage of $8.00 per week for women apprentice*.

5. Minimum wage of $1600 per week for men.

6. There shall be no discharge without just cause.

7. Sanitary condition* to be established, with emergency rest rooms in shops.

8. of all tines and blacklists.

9. Recognition of Union.

10. The following legal holiday* to be observed, with pay: New Year's Day;
Decoration Day, Fourth of July. Labor Day. Thanksgiving Day and Christmas,

11 That an Arbitration Board be established to adjust all future grievances
where both parties cannot agr -

The employers did not As the strike continued it extended in

scope until it included the following houses in addition to Shymanski & Sons:

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Moses Rothschild & Co., Falls City Clothing Company and M. Cohen &
Sons. The aggregate number of strikers was nearly six hundred.

We cannot speak too highly of the courage and loyalty of the strikers.
particularly since that was their first experience in organization and strike.

The Socialist Party of Louisville generously placed its large Karl Marx
Hall at the disposal of the strikers as their headquarters, where the striker^
met, sang and danced when not on picket duty. The Socialist Party also
furnished speakers to encourage the strikers and educate them.

We also received the liberal support of the United Trades and Labor
Assembly, the central trade union body in Louisville.

The strikers participated in the Labor Day parade of the United Trades
and Labor Assembly and made a most favorable showing.

The strikers enlivened the city by their wide awakeness and aroused gen-
eral interest. Thus they were on several occasions the official guests of
various organizations in the c

The United Trades and Labor Assembly and a number of individuals
made efforts to bring about a settlement, but the employers were so obdur-
ate that no progress could be made. It was evident that the clohing manu-
facturers, never having seen any labor organization in their industry before,
were determined to prevent it from gaining a foothold. But the workers
were no less determined to uphold their organization. The wholehearted
support they received from us has so encouraged the strikers that they would
not under any circumstances go back to the old conditions. They saw the
light of working class unionism and were inspired by it.

In October they had the joy of achieving the first victory. The firm of
M. Cohen & Sons made a settlement with the new local union, granting the
48 hour week, one dollar increase in wages, and other concessions. The
fruits of victory are always sweet, but the fruits of the first victory have a
particular relish, the invigorating effect of which lasts very long. The reali-
zation of the fact that they, the newly organized workers, cannot only fight
but also win, gave birth to a new spirit of self reliance. And though the
strike had already become drawn out and protracted, the struggle becoming
more difficult as the days, the weeks and the months passed, the backbone
of the strike was stiffened by that first victory.

The employers, as usual, made desperate efforts to break the strike. They
tried to get work made in other cities and partly succeeded. In Cleve-
land they were blocked by our Cleveland local union. They imported scabs
from other cities. In this they were particularly unfortunate. When the
"scabs" arrived in Louisville they proved to be active members of our Chi-
cago organization, whom the firms gave an opportunity to visit their fac-
tories and report the exact conditions to the strikers.

The strikers made their acquaintance with the "chivalry" of the police
and found out where the courts stood as between employers and strikers.

The brutal conduct of the police compelled our local union to send the

126

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

lett« r to l.«lwar«i : nc, chairman of the Board of Public

July 9, of this year, ftftcr our demand for an increase in wage* to meet the
increased con .. had been by our emplovm. we declared a strike. Our

strike ha* •. orderly aud lawful manner although we

have been opprcs- officers and private watchman.

to coin; .our board concerning the

outrageous conduct of several members of the Louisville police force who have been
static Snead Building at Ninth and Market Streets. 1

man ' tmerous occasions cursed and abused us in an outrageous

manner and has even gone so far as to take hold of «• bodily and maliciously and
violently to \>- rk us about and to shove us from the sidewalk into the street

.Is us "streetwalkers" and his manner is alwavs malicious and
insult

Sergeant Lee has cursed and abused us unmercifully and his attitude and man-
ner ' ug.

A patrolman bearing badge No. 180, has cursed and abused us and threatened
us wi: tor no cause. This officer when told by a young lady that she had done

no wrong and had violated no law informed her that his word would go further than
her word. He made a statement that "we make the law as we go along."

:ig this ll have conducted ourselves in a lawful, quiet and dignified

man n c officers no cause for the abuse heaped upon us, and we.

ore, request that your board make an investigation of these charges and further
ask that we be protected in our legal rights.

On last Tuesday, October 24, our books and records were stolen from our head-
quarters in Karl Marx Hall; the theft was immediately reported to the authorities,
but no steps have been taken to recover the stolen propc.

Trusting you will use your authority to protect us Irom the insults and abuses
•<>fore suffered at the hands of the police and that you will cause the
icnt to make an effort to locate our stole* records and to bring to
e the parties of this theft, we beg to remain, etc.

(Signed) ELNORA SAUER. Secretary."

j may be seen from the above letter the union's headquarters v.

burglarized and ransacked. Books and records were stolen. There can be no

ke as to the p;: cd in stealing them. But that theft servexl

no useful purpose. There was nothing in the records to embarrass the

organization. Nor could their absence hamper the organization's work, as a

catc set of records was kept at another place in order to meet just such
an emergetu

On December 12, a settlement was effected with Shvmanski & Sons.
All the strikers returned to v.. rk with one dollar a week increase in their
wages, pay for legal holidays, time and one-half for overtime, and provisions
for jcducing the working time. More wage increases have been secured
since. The fonr cck has by this time been reduced to fifty-

:h an understanding for an ultimate forty-eight hour week. The
forty-eight hour week is in force at M. Cohen & Sons.

The as improved conditions in that factory to such an extent that

although the settlement was not formally made with the organization the
workers realize that their bet conditions of today are due entirely

to their united power, and they jealously guard that power.

ve a very good, lively and thriving local union in Louisville
to the pride and benefit of the local membership and to the joy of the general
memcbrship.

117

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA
INTRODUCTION OF THE 48-HOUR WEEK IN CLEVELAND

We had no organization in Cleveland, and no connection of any sort, until
late in 1915, when the big strike was on in Chicago. One day we received
a telegram from a friend of our organization informing us that Chicago work
made its appearance in Cleveland shoj >-. \Ve sent P. Xuckerman into

that city, \\hilr there he organized a local union. It grew slowly
made steady progr«->v In a few cases strikes were called and won. Agreements
were signed with several of the smaller houses for better wages than had been
paid before and for a shorter working week, reduced in some cases from as
many as sixty-four hours.

The organization activity was not kept up constantly and the local union
in that city was considerably weakened.

Recently, however, local activity has been revived and the ts are

good for continued and fruitful work.

On March 30, agreements with three firms were renewed, bringing the
workers increased wages and introducing the forty-eight hour week, which
was reduced from 50 and 52 hours.

MILWAUKEE AND CINCINNATI

We have grown so accustomed to continued and rapid progress and to
frequent and great victories that an occasional adverse experience seems almost
unnatural. Yet, as a fighting organization we must be prepared at times to
sustain a setback here and there. Milwaukee and Cincinnati happened to fall
into that category for the time being.

Milwaukee had a fairly good organization and conducted and won strikes.
A strike of the 600 employees of Adler Bros., began May J. 1917, ended
unfavorably July 11. K/IJ, and had a discouraging effect on the membership.

In Cincinnati, too, the local organization conducted strikes and gained
concessions for its members. But conditions were otherwise unfavorable and
the progress made was not supported by further organization work.

As a result both organizations failed to hold what they had achieved,
which confirms the rule that eternal vigilance is not only the price of liberty
but also of security.

We shall take up anew the organization work in those two cities and
1 ring them back into the column of the organized clothim-. centers.

ROCHESTER AND WESTERN NEW YORK

Rochester is still within the unchecked power of the Clothiers' Exchange.

We have not made the progress we had a right to expect in that city
since the last convention. But progress has been made nevertheless. We
have extended the influence of the organization, raised 1! , t of the
workers generally and aroused their faith in the Union. Satisfactory prog-
ress has been made among the cutters, an unapproachable element in the

128

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

past. Our Rochester organization has gained quite a number of them into
in ranks.

The Syracuse organization is hopeful of good progress in the near future.

I likewise be possible to organize the clothing workers.

Until recently two organizers were maintained for Western New York

with headquarters in Rochester. They are not on the staff now. At the

mg a new campaign of organization has been mapped out for

ive confidence that more rapid progress

\vill be madi ititure as the way has been paved for more effective and

constructive work.

THE SOARING COST OF LIVING AND THE EFFORTS TO RAISE

WAGES.

The cost of living has been rising steadily for many years, but since
the beginning of the European war the upward rush of prices of the neces-
( >f life has been such as if they were consciously hastening to get
he reach of the people^. A situation was created by both natural
trtificial causes, mainly the latter, which became menacing to the Amer-
kers. Repeated demands for wage increases were dictated by the
'aw of self preservation. One of the strongest counts in the indictment
will be its violent efforts to reduce the conditions of American
labor at a hen the working class was being called to make its greatest

for the country, give up its sturdiest sons, work hardest and in-
crease still more its thriftiness, which means more self abnegation, in order
to contribute to the Country's war chest. The interests of the Naiton and
the ii lid not require the deterioration of the workers' con-

»s; the i < sts alone required it. Yet attempts were made

to discourage the workers' outcry for relief by the charge of "treason" and
"disl< i shouter of "treason" has swelled his fortune by the mis-

fortunes of the human race.

It is a very hopeful sign, and to the great credit of the American work-
ingmen, that they have not permitted the "stop thief" cry of "treason" and
"disloyalty" to intimidate them.

The high cost of living is of all other economic issues, the burning ques-
tion of the day for the people. In our efforts to meet it we, the working class,
are placed at a tragic disadvantage.

We arc informed by the beneficiaries of the present social order that
hi^h prices are incidental to prosperity. There may be many reasons for
igh cost of things. It may be the European war. It may be the in-
creased output of gold. It may be the trustification of the necessaries of
life. It may be all that and more. For the worker's lean purse the cause of
ising prices arc immaterial. The phenomenon of rising prices is the
all-important matter.

When high prices become general, when instead of the high cost of
a given product we speak of the high cost of living, what does that mean in

129

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

the final analysis? It means that we pay more for what we buy and receive
more for what we sell. If Mr. Retailer must pay to Mr. Wholesaler fifty
cents for what he formerly paid twenty-five cents and he receives from Mr.
Consumer one dollar for what he formerly received fifty cents, Mr. Retailer
is not the loser by the change in prices. Nor is there any disturbance in the
relations between seller and buyer.

Our grocer, our butcher, our dairyman, pay more now for their wares
and they charge us more for them. If \vc refuse to pay an extra cent for the
bottle of milk, we may permit our babies to go without it. If we wish to
feed them and keep them in good health we must pay the raised price.
There is no extraneous compulsion either on the part of the seller or the
:. Likewise with bread, meat, clothing and all else. The prices have
been raised automatically. No haggling will help. We may grumble, and
our grocer and butcher may sympathetically grumble along with us, but we
will pay the new price. We know that we must do it if we want to have
the things that sustain life. Our dealer's argument: "It costs me more and
I must get more" is unanswerable. The law that determines the increase
in prices operates with wonderful precision all along the line.

Yes, all along the line, except at one point, where it is suspended, as it
were. That point is where the wage earner is located. A dealer in any line of
goods may say: "It costs me more and I must get more" and without any
exception he will get more. But not so with the workingman.

The worker approaches his employer and tells him that the goods he
must buy and consume in order to reproduce his labor from day to day — food,
clothing, shelter, etc. — cost him more now than they did before. In order
that he may be able to meet the higher cost he must be paid more for the
thing he sells, his labor power. He applies to his case the very same formula
that all others have applied to theirs: "It costs me more and I must get
more." But here the law that automatically raises prices stops short. There
is no automatic price raising for labor power. The employer informs the
man with the hat in his hand, with indifference, contempt or rage, as the
temperament of the employer or superintendent may be, that if the wages
paid in that factory do not suit him he is at liberty to look for another
job. The worker must pay the higher prices asked of him for all he buys,
including the goods at the making of which he is himself employed. He must
Arguments are superfluous and useless. But in order to get the increase
due him he must — fight!

A tremendous machinery must be set in motion. Large mass meetings
are called. Prominent speakers discuss with the workers the great injustice
done to them. Demands upon the employers are formulated. A strike is
called. The papers denounce the strikers as disturbers of the peace, dstroy-
ers of our prosperity. Strikebreakers, thugs, guerillas, private detectives and
all other tools of the employers, become the saviours of society. The police
get busy clubbing and arresting strikers; the courts get busy convicting
them ; the prison cells open wide to receive them. Feelings run high in the

130

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

community. Onr set condemns the employers, another set the worker!
The latter are subjected to hunger, cold, prosecution and persecution and
must appeal to other members of their class for help. And all that for the
only purpose of enforcing the economic law which is being self enforced as
between a manufacturer and his customers and as between his customers
and

When the workers succeed in wresting the much needed increa*
wages and they make merry and rejoice over their victory, what was it that
really won? An improvement in their condition? We call it so, but
t-ality but a check upon depredation. We assume that the workers
have secured a ten per cent increase in their wages. It is often less and
seldom more With the cost of living fifty or sixty per cent higher and
wages but ten per cent the improvement is real only as compared

with yi-sterday and the day before, but not in the long run. The deteriora-
tion of conditions has been checked to the extent of ten per cent.

In our days it takes but a short time and the ten per cent in wages is
more than wiped out by a new rise in the cost of living. The best organized
workers cannot possibly strike for higher wages as often as the prices of
necessities of life rise.

A BLOTCH ON THE NEW YORK MARKET.

In the face of that who is there so cruel as not to begrudge the wage
earner's slight increase in his pay in order to at least partly restore its former
purchasing power! In the face of that, too, what sane man could credit
the possibility of employers repudiating a wage increase already granted
by them 1

Yet that is precisely what happened in New York.

Early in the summer of 1917 we submitted to the New York Clothing
Manufacturers a demand for a wa^e increase. After some conferences we
agreed on an increase of one dollar a week. The Associated Boys' Clothing
:facturcrs agreed to put the increase into effect June 18, and the men's
clothing manufacturers July 1. At the proper time our children's clothing
members received the increase as agreed. Not so in the larger branch of
the industry. Hiding themselves behind the backs of the contractors a large
number of manufacturers attempted to rob the workers of the increase due
them. The circumstances made it quite apparent that it was the aim of
those responsible for the manoeuvre to discredit the officers of the Union by
conveying the impression that the wage increase report made by the officers
to the members was a fabrication. The organization took the matter up
with a firm hand. The members were called to a large number of mass
meetings, Monday, July 16, where the situation was fully discussed. The fol-

:ig resolution was unanimously adopted at all meetings:

The rising cost of living has forced the workers everywhere to demand of their
employers wage increases in order to at least check in some measure the deterioration
of their standards of life.

For the same reason our organization was also compelled to ask for raises in

1S1

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

wages, which have been granted to our members in different parts of the country,
in some cases to the extent of ten percent and more.

In this city a conference between our Organization and our employers resulted
in an agreement that wages be raised one dollar a week, beginning July ist, 1917.

We did not insist on a higher rise in wages, such as were received by our fellow
members in other parts of the country; nor did \ on the increase going into

effect immediately. We agreed to concessions both as to the amount and the time
because of our anxiety to avoid an industrial conflict.

The first of July came and passed. We are now already in the third week of
the month, but our employers still refuse to give us what has been promised to
order to avoid a strike.

We feel outraged at this show of bad faith.

We resent most emphatically the conduct of our employers in trying to snatch
from us what is justly ours by a definite and solemn understanding between our
organization and them.

By the action of our employers in withholding from us the increase guaranteed
by them, a situation has been created in \vhich not the amount of money but a high
principle is involved.

The question for us to answer is: Shall tens of thousands of workin^men,
organized in a strong Union — using their organized power with due regard for the
community as a whole — shall these tens of thousands of workingmen and their families
allow themselves to be made a football for the entertainment of their employer

Our dignity as American citizens, as enlightened workers and as an organized
body, calls for the strongest resentment at the insult and outrage perpetrated upon
us.

Our answer to the above question is: Our settlement for one dollar increase, to
begin July ist, 1917, was made with our employers in perfect faith; we now, as a
matter of honor, insist that that settlement be upheld. We, therefore, authorize the
New York Joint Board and our officers to do all that may be necessary in order to
enforce the settlement agreed to by us in honor, good faith and without any mental
reservation.

We hope that no extreme measures may be necessary, but we pledge ourselves to
instantly respond to the call of our organization, in any emergency, in order to
enforce the condition of the settlement and establish the fact that an understanding by
our employers with us must be respected not only by ourselves but by the employers
as well.

The firm stand of the organization had the desired effect. In a number
of cases the increase was immediately paid to our members ; in others strikes
were necessary to enforce payments. Within a few weeks all paid.

THE MANUFACTURE OF ARMY CLOTHING

Our fervent hope that this country might be spared the horrors of war
remained unfulfilled. In April, 1917, America became a co-belligerent of the
Allies against Germany. The National Army authorized by Congress had to
be clothed and the Government gave out contracts for the making of army
uniforms.

We were immediately confronted with that distressing problem.

Before the war the American people had been free from war industries.
With relatively slight exceptions we were all occupied in the pursuits of peace.
\Ve all lived in the happv illusion that this far and distant country was out
of reach for the militaristic monster of Europe. We were harshly disillusioned.
The world encircling flames of the groat conflagration caught us and made us
a part of Europe. The Western Hemisphere became united with the Eastern in
the great catastrophe.

Greedy profiteers have seized upon the war as a godsend for their
further enrichment. That has been so ever since men have learned to carry
on warfare scientifically and in a "civilized" manner. Every war in the past

132

BALTIMORE:

has swelled old s and created new ones i duals who were

perfectly willing t-. amass wealth through the misery of their fellow human
beings. All that i* "proper, md "good business policy."

however, war work docs not mean large dividends. To

means labor, toil, an opportuity to convert their labor power into

food for themselves and their families. They would much rather do work

more to their liking. But they don't do the work they desire; they do the

work they are hired to do. They do war work when that is required.

That was the attitude of the workers to the making of army uniforms.

unifoms made their appearance in the industry, replacing
tan d Mibers fully realized the meaning of it. The young men

sensible of the fact that they would be among the ones to
wear them under fire and shell ; the older ones were likewise conscious that
the very kh... ents they were going to make would be for their own

sons, brothers and other dear ones. It is a part of the general and un;

ly of today that with all that feeling and consciousness the workers
were praying for the army uniform work in order that they might be able

their bread.

There was widespread unemployment in the industry. Very little

civilian clothing was being manufactured. Partly because the market was

dull : the young men did not buy new clothing because they expected to be

••d ; the older people made last year's suit do extra service because of the

cost of and in some cases also, because the departure of the

young men made general retrenchment necessary; partly, or largely also,

because the mills were giving preference to the manufacture of cloth for the

government.

But when the making of Army Clothing was finally begun very few of
our members had the good fortune of participating in it. It looked as if the
Government '-n special pains to avoid the union's jurisdiction. The

manufacturers certainly did. The highly specialized process of labor employed
in the making of uniforms made possible the employment of unskilled labor.
manufai • vho had secured contracts, taking advantage of the gen-

eral state of unemployment, hired workers from other industries at ridicu-
s, employed children and sent work into tenement houses.
Wages were slashed, th< <ht hour week, for which we fought so bit-

terly, was abolished, and many thousands of our members walked the
streets in id! tors were employers who had succeeded

the jurisdiction of the union and were thus freed from the neces-
sitv ,.f paying living wages, giving th oyes decent treatment, etc.

\Vhc : .era sho v inclination to demand improvements the

employers held the Government's contract as a club over their heads, threat-
ening with arrest and imprisonment.

The state of affairs was such that the New Republic of New York,
was compelled to publish the following complaint (July 7, 1917) :

Take the situation in the men's clothine industry. The government has gone
into the market for tens of thousands of uniforms. The contracts for these uniforms

Itt

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

arc let through the quartermaster's department in Philadelphia. For some unknown
reason, the quartermaster's department has followed the practice of placing most of
these contracts with unorganized factories where the cheapest labor is employed
and with factories 10 ill equipped to do the work that their owners have resorted
to sub-contraction which in turn has spilled over into the tenements. Since the
beginning of the war there has been a conspicuous recrudescence of the old sweat-
shop conditions which the best manufacturers and the unions have struggled for years
to abolish. The quartermaster's department has taken the position that the govern-
ment is not concerned whether or not union labor is employed. Most of the clothing
on government account is manufactured in New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore,
and it happens that in these cities approximately 85 per cent of the industry operates
under the protocol agreements which provide not only for the maintenance of decent
labor standards in the establishment of which the manufacturers, the workers and
representatives of the outside public have had a voice, but which also provide a highly
developed and effective machinery for the modification of standards in times of
emergency and the adjustment of industrial disputes. With few exceptions, the fac-
tories which have remained outside the scope of collective agreements operate under
sub-standard conditions of wages and hours give the workers no voice in the control
of the shop and provide no machinery for the correction of grievances. Yet it is
such factories that appear to be getting most of the government contracts today with
the result that unrest and resentment is rapidly spreading throughout the industry.

Would not the government be following a wiser course if it called into consulta-
tion the representatives of the manufacturers' associations and the union which con-
trol 85 per cent of the industry, made preferential arrangements with them for the
execution of government work and made them jointly responsible for the maintenance
of uninterrupted production?

The threats of the employers did not, however, prevent uprisings. When
the conditions of slavery became unbearable the workers in a number of
places struck.

We took hold of the strikes wherever they occurred. We investigated
conditions and caused others, such as the Mayor's Committee of National
Defense, of New York, to make investigations. Most shocking conditions
were revealed. The press gave publicity to our disclosures and called for
immediate action by the Government:

The Evening Post of New York said :

"Investigation should be made of the charge that Government contracts for
uniforms are being executed by contractors whose employees work under sweat-
shop conditions. A good deal of the agitation has been backed by New York manu-
facturers unable to meet out-of-town bids, and the Amalgamated Clothing Workers'
Association, which sees garment makers attracted from a highly unionized centre, like
New York, to towns where the union has comparatively little influence. But several
disinterested and public-spirited citizens, after looking into the matter have declared
themselves satisfied that unjust and unsanitary conditions prevail in many establish-
ments engaged on government work. If conditions are upon inquiry, found to be as
alleged, they should be remedied at once. If the allegations turn out to be untrue,
a full report should be made of that fact to the public."

When in one case little girls under sixteen years of age were pointed out
to the naval officer who accompanied the investigators, and that they were
working for four dollars a week, the officer said, "Well, those girls are doing
their bit." That was the way the workers were looked upon by the em-
ployers, the authorities and all who had charge of the situation.

A photographer accompanied our investigators and took pictures wher-
ever possible. We reproduce four of them here. Let these photographic
records of capitalistic greed and industrial slavery be perpetuated for the
coming generations. Those conditions would have prevailed to this day were
it not for our efforts to abolish them.

134

BALTIMORE CONVENTION-

BABY CARRIAGE FILLED WITH ARMY UNIFORMS

TO BF. FINISH! 1KNKMKNT HOUSE.

135

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

BABY CARRIAGK FILLED WITH ARMY UNIFORMS
TO BE FINISHED IN TENEMENT HOUSE.

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

S TAK: ;MY UNIFORMS ON

MSU1NGATHOMIL

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OP AMERICA

CHILD LABOR EMPLOYED IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF ARMY UNIFORMS

138

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Each picture represents child labor in the making of military uniforms
for the American Government

One was taken in Red Bank, N. J , in front of the factory of the Sigmund
Eisner Company, where a strike was on for humane working conditions.

The young toiler in knee pants, whose right place is on the playground.

may be one of trios- ave answered the Eisner Company's advertite-

for "Boys Wanted" for the cutting department to work with machines

that maim and cripple, to scab it upon the adult workers, upon brcadwin-

nersners for their families.

This picture, in order to tell its full story, should have been taken inside
of the factory, but, for obvious reasons, that was not quite possible. It had
to b< -n the outside where the child was happy to breathe free air

again and be on his way home.

For for our members, themselves heads of famil-

ies, and themselves being forced into comp e children,, per-

haps Iron, the significance of the picture is perfectly clear.

child in the photograph is not only a young scab— though in his
sacred childish innocence he is unconscious of it — against a full grown man
who is fighting for sufficient food for his family so that he may not be com-
pelled by the pinch of poverty to send his own children to the factory to
r own bread ; he is not only a temporary club over the heads of the
l>ut through the gate of the government's uniform contract, be is
being brought into the industry to stay and compete with his father.

The employment of children, which means the unemployment of their
fat! because of that, self perpetuating.

It is the other picture, hov .vhich was taken in our metropolis.

that cries loudest to announce the brutish conditions under which the uni-
forms for our National Army were being made. No more powerful indict-
ment could be drawn against barbar ilism than that picture. If reve-
lations such as those made by that picture should fail to make the lovers
of true democracy and c >n rise in their wrath against those respoa
sible for the shameful conditions, we may well wonder what will.

Look at the picture carefully and you will see clearly both what the
camera has reproduced and what it has not

The fact that the two little girls arc taking the military coats home for
finishing tells us plainly enough that there is a mother at the children's home
to do the finishing, possibly with the assistance of these and other children.
The mother could not go herself to the uniform factory to fetch the coats ss
she, very likely, could not leave her baby alone, who may be sick with scar-
let fever, diphtheria, infantile paralysis or small pox. She sent her two oldest
children. But they are not strong enough to carry the bundle. The problem
is easily solved. There is a baby carriage in the house, bought before the
father was competed out of his job by child labor.

Ordinarily the sight of a baby carriage gladdens one's heart I:
him that there is in the family a little cherub to whose

lit

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

that carnage makes its contribution. The baby carriage never fails to
bring what we may truly call a divine smile to the mother's face and a sacred
glow in her eyes.

The baby's carriage is pressed into service to assist in the manufac-
turing of uniforms for the American Army by child labor.

Not only is innocent childhood corrupted by child slavery, corrupted
physically, mentally and morally, but the glory of infancy is desccrat

An American army is organized of the best young sons of this nation
to fight for world democracy, and the baby's carriage is used for the carting
of uniforms for that army from the factory to a filthy and poverty and disra"-
;cken "hom<

The baby may by chance be well and healthy. It is allowed to roll in
dirt because its carriage is needed for industrial purposes, to bring uniforms
for mamma and the sisters to work on them. But the baby may also be sick,
kept in the carriage whenever anyone can manage to take it out for an airing
in those fine summer days, and then the germ ridden carriage is made to "do
its bit," to infect the soldiers' uniforms while transporting them from the
factory to the tenement and back again.

Our efforts were rewarded. The Government heeded our protests and
appointed a Board of Control to guard labor conditions in the manufacture
of unifoms. The Board was composed of Louis E. Kirstein, manager of the
department store of Filene & Co. of Boston; Mrs. Florence Kelly, general
secretary of the National Consumers' League, and Capt. Walter Kreusi, of
the Quartermasters Corps, tl. S. Reserves.

Secretary Baker accompanied the accouncement of the creation of the
Board of Control with the following statement:

"Through this board the Quartermaster General will be enabled to enforce the
maintenance of sound industrial and sanitary conditions in the manufacture of army
clothes, to inspect factories, to see that proper standards are established on Govern-
ment work, to pass upon the industrial standards maintained by bidders in army
clothing and act so that just conditions will prevail.

"The Government cannot permit its work to be done under sweatshop condi-
tions and it cannot allow the evils complained of to go uncorrected. Only through
the establishment of such a body as the Board of Control now created will the govern-
ment be assured that army clothing is manufactured under recognized industrial
standards and in an atmosphere of good will between manufacturers and operatives.
This alone will assure fit clothing and its prompt delivery for army needs."

The Government failed to give our organization representation on the
Board. That constituted a just grievance on our part, to which we gave
expression in our press in the following manner:

The protest raised by the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America against
the enslaving and degrading conditions prevailing in the factories in which clothing
is being made for the National Army has brought one definite result: The appoint-
ment by the Federal Government of a committee to control labor conditions in the
manufacture of uniforms.

We are thankful for whatever the Government has done in order to close the
fates which its army contracts had opened wide to child labor, tenement house labor
and conditions of slavery all around.

But we still have a very just grievance.

No committee, such as was appointed by the Government, can be complete unless
it includes a representative of our organization. It is a committee on conditions and
standards of LABOR. Who, then, is more vitally interested in the work of such a

140

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

than the workingmen? Soch a conissltlss should include an official repre-
sentative of our organisation. But it does not

Mr. Kirstem. of the big Boston department store firm of Filene * Sons, is a
man of high character and will bring much strengt roamfttot, bot as

ployer of labor he cannot and he does not assume to speak for labor.
Mrs. KeUey is a most estimable lady, for many years active in the interests of
the people in many ways, and a credit to any movement she is identified with, but she
is not a repre- of labor.

position oo the comsiittxr has beta oalarly iliiH as repre-

seating the Army Quartermaster's

f customer, if of sufficient commercial importance, could enforce

:iane working con %o inclined. But wUk

rhose highest principle is to buy cheap and sell dear, caaaot

^ unrepresCBMu*

The relations of the Government to the manufacturer are not those of an ordinary
customer in ordinary times.

•i an ordinary customer, if of sufficient commercial importance,
upon the manufacturer hui

• ate customer whose _

.irily be expected to concern himself with the hi

of the condition* under which the goods he bought are being made, the
must make that its concern.

The Government is the organ of organized society. Its highest ai
the v the people.

If it is its business to enforce laws for the regulation of working
production generally, how much more must that be its business in
is carried on for the Government itself.

In this case of Army clothing the Government is the actual employer.

" manufacturer is the immediate employer of our members; while be is
doing the hiring and the firing and is handing out the pay envelopes to the workers
employed in the making of uniforms, he is. in the final analysis, the agent for the
Govern t . as stated al> il employer.

\Vr !,.i . - .re, a full right to turn to the Government with oar

in connection with the work done for it.

The conditions inaugurated by the uniform manufacturers were so
to force the public press to call for immediate remedy. The committee
by the Government has been charged with the task of applying such
prevailing evils may call for.

We regret sincerely that our organization was not granted representation in
committee. We are. however, glad that the Government has heeded our
and done as much as it has in order to free itself from the disgrace of
clothing for the National Army made by child and tenement labor, and
tions of long hours and starvation wages.

The work of the Government committee, if carried out with energy and deter*
mination, as we expect it will be. and supplemented by the united power of the
organized Clothing Workers employed in the industry, will eradicate the evils which
have crept into our industry through the Army contracts.

The Gov : 's action has had a wholesome effect on conditions in the

industry. Unorganized factories were brought under our jurisdiction,
employers of our members received contracts, the 48 hour week was •»ffonniw
and good wages established. In short, a situation was created enabling the
workers to earn a living wage under the Union's protection.

Onoe a Traitor Alwmyi a Traitor.

It was but natural for employers to resist in all possible ways the influ-
ence of the union and the introduction of better conditions for the workers,
particularly so in the case of an employer whose factory was never unionized
before. For an employer who had managed to withstand the progress of the
labor movement and to keep intact the happy regime of absolute industrial
sty as regards his employees, it is exceedingly difficult to accept
the absurd and dangerous theory that workers have rights employers should
respect.

141

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

The firm of Mark Cowen & Company in New York is such an employer.
The worst evils known in the industry bloomed undisturbed in the Cowen
factories, including the curse of subcontracting. There were many petty
tyrants with the head of the firm as the Overlord.

Our success in bettering the conditions of the clothing workers in
other array uniform shops aroused the Cowen employees, who were also
making army clothing, to the possibility of making their own lives a little
less miserable. They naturally called on us to take up their cause. Follow-
ing the usual course those of them who were not yet members became such
and we assisted them in affecting a shop organization headed by a shop
chairman. It was perfectly natural for the firm to feel outraged by such a
"conspiracy" on the part of its industrial subjects even as it was natural for
Nicholas Romanoff to feel outraged at conspiracies of his political subjects.
But unlike Romanoff, Cowen had no Siberia to exile his rebels to. Nor did
he have gallows. He did the next best thing. He discharged the shopchair-
man, hoping thereby to set an example for the other rebels. The discharge
was very impressively accompanied by physical blows administered by a
gentleman who specialized in that line of activity. When the shop chair-
man woke up to a full realization of the firm's attitude towards him as a
representative of the workers he found himself minus his watch and chain.

By that action the firm precipitated a strike in all of its shops involving
about seven hundred workers, who not only demanded the reinstatement
of the discharged chairman but also formulated their grievances and asked
that they be remedied.

Once the workers were forced into a strike to defend their right to be
organized we were compelled to deal with the matter vigorously, and we
gave it all the attention required.

The Board of Control offered to mediate. We accepted the offer; the
firm rejected it.

Instead of allowing the Government's Board to affect an adjustment the
firm, in whose factories union sympathy has always been considered a
capital offense punishable by immediate discharge, turned for assistance to
the scab agency doing business under the trade name of United Garment
.Workers of America.

The scab agency hastened to conclude an agreement with the firm to
break the strike.

With all the workers out on strike the scab agency declared the Cowen
shop "unionized" and gave this latter fact the widest possible publicity.
The agency had no scabs to furnish, and the agreement could not produce
garments. So the firm sent the following letter to the striking employees :

To the Employees of Mark Cowen & Co.:

You will report for work on Thursday morning.

We will give an increase of $1 per week to all employees, male and female, be-
ginning with the week of September 24.

The contracting system will be abolished in the shop and all the employees will
work directly for and be paid by the firm.

142

BALTIMORE CONVECTION

Any complaints or grievance! will be fettled by the employers' representative*.
An agreement bat been made between the firm and the United Garment Worker*
of America, which ogan nation is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor.

It is interesting to sec the firm notify its striking employees that it
an agreement with the "union" and asking them to return to work. The
"union" <!i.| n.-t dare fa< rs with that message.

Returning to work would have automatically converted the striken from
Amalgamated members into members of the scab agency. They failed to

opportune. Instead of going into the factory

to scab against themselves they preferred to remain outside of it and prevent
i-tl'.r- scabbing. And they did it like seasoned fighters.

There was rse, the usual line up of scab agency, guerillas, police

and the rest of the outfit, who beat up, maimed and arrested the officers and
cert,

.is continued for three months, and the workers will forever

remember the scab agency with the same feelings that outraged workers

struggling for their rights always remember gangsters, traitors and strike-

The stril ng agreement is in the firm's office and the

Igamated union spirit is in the hearts and souls of the workers. They

are ours to a man.

THE SHIRTMAKERS IN OUR RANKS.

The conspiracy to break the Mark Cowen strike was as good an illustra-
tion as any of the maxim that "there is no ill wind that blows no good/' It
served to bring two elements into our ranks which until then were under the
domination of the scab agency. Those were the Shirtmakers and the Overall
workers.

In our report to the Second Biennial Convention we said the following
with regard to the Shirtmakers:

It has been the fate of this organization to be tested in all possible ways
emerged triumphantly from all One of them was in a sense the supreme test and oar
organization was probably the only labor body in this country to be subjected to it

We refer to the case of the shirtmakers.

The workers in the shirt industry in New York had been disorganized for many
years.

Over a year ago a movement was begun to organize them. Through BO fault
of the rank and file the shirtmakers' union was delivered to the United Garment
Workers. Those responsible for it had clutched at a burnt straw. They had hoped
to receive from those people strong financial support and also moral, inasmuch as the
shirt cutters were organized under the United Garment Workers, and the
of the American Federation of Labor was promised. But neither has mat<
The United Garment Workers of America, not having been in the habit of
their funds in the interests of the workers when they had money to burn, coul
tainly m»t In- expected to do it when thev needed whatever funds they had to meet
their own payroll. The cutters stabbed the strike in its vitals at the very beginning.
lining up with the employers against the strikers. But that did not invalidate their
membership in the general organization. Scabbing is quite the natural thing m that
quarter.

The poor struggling shirtmakers were left stranded and they tamed to their

.1 kin. to their own flesh and bone, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
America. They appealed for help to our New York Joint Board. Remember that
that happened at the very time when the entire machinery of the United

143

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Workers, assisted by Samuel Gompers, were busy trying to break pur strikes In
Philadelphia and Baltimore, to mention nothing of the crimes committed by them
against us in the past. Would it have been surprising if the accummulated feelings
of bitterness and resentment had caused our members to give vent to them by visit-
ing punishment upon those who owe allegiance to the people who had betrayed us?
But our members acted with real working class nobility.

It was a source of sacred inspiration to see these shopworkers rise to the lofty
heights of true working class intelligence and solidarity.

Our members argued thus to the shirt strikers: "We have nothing but con-
tempt for your parent body and its officers, but we have no quarrel with you. You
are engaged in a struggle with our common enemy. You are part of ourselves even
if your organization Has been misplaced into the camp of our enemies instead of
being brought into our ranks where you belong."

That showed a degree of intelligence and revolutionary spirit that will be a credit
to our entire movement.

The New York Joint Board gave the striking shirtmakcrs three hundred dollars.
Its only regret was that it could not make the amount bigger, as it had just given
$1,300 to the Philadelphia and Baltimore strikers.

When the shirtmakers called another time they received two hundred dollars
more.

They also received financial assistance from other subdivisions of our organization.

We are proud of our membership and rejoice in their class loyalty.

Our demonstration of solidarity was not lost. Its effect sank deep into
the hearts of the shirtworkers and they proved it two years later. The
Mark Cowen strike was the occasion for it.

We had made no attempt to form shirt locals under our banner. We
steered clear from that field and allowed the Shirtmakers to work out their
own salvation under the banner that was supposed to be theirs. If the
Shirtmakers were ever to free themselves from misrule and demoralization
it was to be done upon their own initiative.

But the ways of the labor misleaders are such that they inevitably make
for the ultimate undoing of those misleaders. It is in such self destroying
acts of traitors in all walks of life that the hope of the honest men lies.

The Cowen firm has a shirt department, whose workers went out on
strike along with the workers in the clothing departments. The scab agency
finding itself incapable of carrying out its contract to break the strike, hit
upon the idea of using the shirt department as an entering wedge. Is not
shirtmaking its own and legitimate field? The Amalgamated has no shirt
making organization and the scab agency has. Accordingly, the Shirtmak-
ers' Union was directed by the scab agency to send its members to fill the
vacant Cowen shops. The highly specialized system of labor made it pos-
sible for shirtmakers to work also on many operations on army clothing
outside of shirts.

The Shirtmakers were put to a severe test: Would they pay us in our
own coin; or would they pay us with stones for bread? Did they remember
1915? Were they conscious of their duty to their striking fellow workers?

Great was our joy when we learned that the Shirtmakers decided against
their then general officers and in favor of the striking wage slaves. They
decided not to become strikebreakers. Working class consciousness and self
respect won out against treason.

"The Forward" of September 25, 1918, reported the action of the Shirt-
makers in the following news article:

144

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

SHIRTMAKERS REFUSE TO OBEY THE ORDER OF THE UNITED GAR-
WENT WORKERS TO SCAB ON THE AMALGAMATED

United Garment Workers are determined to become a
compel innocent union men to become scabs. These creatures of the
want to u*f the thin makers as a tool in their shameful attempt to break the stria
of the Amilgu: - one of the Mark Cowen shops.

According to information from reliable source* the United Garment Workers
ordered thr shirt makers to organize Mark Cowen's shirtshops. The executive board

of that union promptly held a special meeting Saturday night regarding this

of the I .rment Wor

As an answer to the order
the foil

- Board of the Shirt and Boys' Waittmakers* and Shirt Ironers*
Union, Local 249. United Garment Workers of America, declare that we have notb-

irk Cow tailors are now on strike."

tcabby creatures of the Bible Houte did not stop their activity et
the sla; il the hands of the Executive Board of the shirt

:o induce .il members of the shirt makers' union to

the Amalgamated tailors are <

The resolution of the •. e Board of the Shirt Makers' Union not to be

Makers as strike breakers will be given over to the

members to vote upon, then the United Garment Workers will be convinced that
they cannot destroy a well organized labor organization in order to carry out their
personal sche

The leader* of the United Garment Workers art threatening to organize another
local ''"e shirt makers will persist in their refusal to scab. The Amalgamted

-% them God speed. The shirt makers will know how to answer with dignity
to such a disgraceful a •

The Executive Board of the shirt makers' union is calling special meeUsigl for
members to discuss the m.v

These meetings will be held in the following places:

Thursday. 8 P.M., two meetings: One meeting in the BROOKLYN *ect>oe.
in M« < asino. 115 Manhattan Ave . another meeting in the BROWNSVILLE

Friday, 8 PM., the meeting of the NEW YORK section will take place.

to be hoped that all members will come to those important meetings.

The scab agency, mad with rage at the refusal of the shirtmakers to
become a blackjack for the assassination of the strike, charged their officer*
with having been bribed by us. The minds of the scab agents are K> de-
praved that they arc incapable of conceiving of anybody doing anything
honestly and without corruption. That was the first time to our knowledge
that anyone was charged with being bribed in order to act straight and keep
his hands clean. Needless to say that the bribery story was a lie out of
the whole cloth. But it is amusing, and in a way even flattering, to be
charged with giving bribes for the purpose of keeping bribees loyal to the
interests of the working class.

The inevitable soon followed. The Shirtmakers' Union being a boot
fide organization had to part company with the scab agency.

By a referendum vote of the membership, taken in five halls, in dif-
ferent parts of Greater New York, on October 11. 12 and 13. 1917. the
Shirtmakers almost unanimously decided to withdraw from the United Gar-
ment Workers and apply for a charter of the Amalgamated Clothing Work-
ers. Of 968 votes cast only 40 were in favor of remaining with the scab
agency.

On October 6, 1917, we issued a charter to the shirtmakers' Union as
local 248 of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers. Within a short time the
Shirtmakers' Union of Philadelphia followed suit They now constitute

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

local 153 of our organization. In the early part of this month we granted a
charter to the Shirt Cutters of New York, who are now known as local 246
of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers. We appointed Bro. S. Cutler as
general organizer for the Cutters. With the help of our organizers, financial
support and general encouragement the Shirtmakers have made satisfactory
progress. Of the gratifying record of success the agreement with the
large firm of Miller, Sons & Co., of Philadelphia, is most noteworthy. The
agreement provides for recognition of the union, substantial wage increases
and other improvements in the working conditions, and was ratified by the
membership November 19, 1917.

The Overallworkers, Too, Purge Themselves of Treason.
Having met with a crushing defeat at the hands of the Shirtmakcrs
the strike assassins turned hopefully to the Overallworkers. As the highly
developed subdivision of labor on Army clothing made Overallworkers avail-
able the scab agency began to press its Overall subjects into scab service.
But there is something so vital in the revolutionary power of working class
revolt that once it develops sufficient strength to assert itself it not only
cannot be downed where it has once raised its head but it spreads con-
tagiously. In this case it spread also to the Overallworkers. Aside from
our own immediate interest in the matter; as members of the working class,
as advocates of the closest labor solidarity, and as rebels against the regime
of treason to labor, we delighted in the action taken by Overallworkers,
Local 178, United Garment Workers of America, which was given expression
to by the following resolution, published in the "Forward" of October 13, 1917:

At the last meeting of the Overall Makers' Union, Local 178, United Garment
Workers of America, held on Oct. 9, 1917, at 133 Eldridge St., the following reso-
lution was accepted:

Whereas, our members are being utilized as tools in many places in order to
break the strike of the members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,
Whereas, many of our members are not familiar with the situation.
Be it resolved that no member of the Overall Workers' Union should dare go
to work in any place where the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America hare
declared a strike.

(Signed) M. DUBINSKY,

(Signed) B. FOX,

(Signed) NATHAN KRETCHMAN.

Resolution Committee.

By their action of loyalty to the working class the Overall Workers'
Union, like its sister organization, the Shirtmakers' Union, made its posi-
tion within the United Garment Workers untenable.

At a special meeting held December 11, 1917, the Overall Workers of
New York, Local 178, United Garment Workers of America, by a vote of
one hundred against five, decided to leave the United Garment Workers and
apply for a charter of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. A
charter was granted to them on December 15, 1917, and the Overall Work-
ers are now a part of our organization, known as Local 178, A. C. W. of A.

Having our hands full with the industry of men's clothing we made no
attempt to enter the field of men's working garments, even as we made no

146

BALTJMORB CONVENTION

attempt to enter the shirt industry. The Overall Workers of New York,
d he Overall Workers of Boston and the Shirtmakers of New York
and Philadelphia, came to us of their own aco

The overall industry is the rock upon which the misleaders and traitors
of the clothing workers had built their fort from which to impose their rule
upon the workers. It was through the overall workers that they had fought
the clothing workers and it was from the former that they had drawn the
power t( The magic that made that possible was the union

label.

The union label! What crimes have been perpetrated upon the work-
ers under that guise 1 How many workers have been sold and betrayed

ugh the medium of the union label !

The tailors' label more than any other label was abused and uiiiuscd
Most of all it was misused in the overall industry.

In many industrial centers, as in the mine-fields, the workers demand
:ii»n latxl -n their overalls. They care not to investigate whether the
label does in reality represent good working conditions. Nor can they
do it. Til-- label on the working blouse is sufficient guarantee for them.
In an honest labor movement this would present an ideal condition for the
It was otherwise and to the contrary for the overall workers
The demand of true unionists in other industries that their clothes bear the
union label makes the overall manufacturers dependent not upon bis em-
ployees but upon the general officers, who have a large stock of labels
in store, registered by the Government to insure monopoly, for which the
manufacturers must pay so much per thousand. If you pay the price you
get the linen certificate, misleading you into the belief that your overalls are
"strictly union," no matter what slavery may exist in the facory.

When the overall manufacturer pays the price for the labels, and as
financial agent for the label dealers he collects or deducts from the wages
of his employees their monthly dues for the "union," he secures a free band
over his workers.

Many of the overall manufacturers are located in scattered places West

and South. They employ helpless girls, whose condition is so unscrupulously

exploited by loyers and the "union" officials that most of those poor

seem to feel that the boss, the label and the union are an inseparable

trinity and the workers must bow their heads t

The following case is a striking illustration of the psychology of the
overall workers in the South and the West One of our New York delegates
to the Nashville Convention explained to a woman delegate of an overall
local the true nature of our struggle at that time. He endeavored to show
her why she should as a m.v ustice vote for the seating of the cloth-

ing workers' delegates. She replied : You are perfectly right and I
thizt ou, but I can't favor seating your delegates because my

warned me that he would not purchase any label from any other president
than the present one.

147

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

The boss instructed her what to do at the convention. The boss most
likely told her to go to the convention, which she could not refuse.

A representative of the Overall Manufacturers' Association was also in
Nashville during the convention. He was seen by the delegates giving direc-
tions to the overall locals' representatives and instructing them how to act
at the convention.

As between the oppressive employers and the faithless union officials the
overall workers were pitifully helpless.

The overall locals are mostly small in membership, but large in number.
When the occasion calls for it a local is divided into two in order to
increase the number of delegates. The 1914 convention was purposely called
to Nashville because it was a convenient place for the small overall local
unions. Thus the Nashville convention was packed by a large number of
delegates representing a minority of the membership. It was that minority
that voted against the seating of the clothing workers' delegates who repre-
sented the majority.

When at that time the general officers refused to submit to a referendum
vote a motion to change the convention place from Nashville to Rochester
they did so not only because they feared that more clothing workers' dele-
gates would come to Rochester than to Nashville but also because they
knew that fewer delegates of the Overall Workers would come to Rochester.

The union label overall industry is a gold mine for self-made rulers.
The sale of labels and the collection of dues through the courtesy of the man-
ufacturers are an endless source of income that never dries up. There are
no strikes, no other expenses that are so big in other unions. There is
also no responsibility to the membership.

This, in brief, is the meaning of the overall industry to the labor move-
ment.

Since the clothing workers freed themselves from the traitors it had
been generally conceded that the traitors were to continue their undisputed
rule over the overall workers. We made no attempt to win those workers
having had so much work in the clothing industry. So great were our tasks
in this field that there was no occasion for us to look for new fields. But
time did its work and the largest local of overall workers in the country
with a membership of about three hundred voluntarily decided to joint our
ranks.

It is unnecessary to say that the Overall Workers are welcome. Just
because they are Overall Workers and just because they come to us on
their own initiative they are doubly welcome.

The Overall Workers of New York are now a part of the great and cordial
Amalgamated family. They are now our members with all others alike.
They will help us in our great work and will share our joys with us.

In this case, too, we are in the fortunate position to report to you that
since their entrance into our ranks, and with our assistance, the Overall
workers in New York, have greatly increased their wages — the increases

141

BALTIMOM OONVBNT10N

ing from four to six dollars a week, and otherwise improved their

ns.

Another Army Uniform Situation

Attacks upon our organization have been made so frequently that they
have become quite a normal condition. If our enemies should cease atu
tu we should deem it our duty to our membership to institute a searching
self examination in ..:•!••: to find out what is wrong about us. No attack
could surprise us; no attack could discourage us. Yet we did not expect
our enrmirs to pay us such a glorious tribute as they did by the general

by them md of 1917. That was a most flatt-

on of our strong

It was our success in ng the interests of the workers in military

rm shops that drew the fire this time from the camp of labor's foes.

Acting upon the noble German principle of "Keep slandering, something

is bound to stick/ they fired at us their broadside of "disloyalty/* Relying

upon 'that that was a charge that need only be made in order to do

epcated it in various forms and ways. The public was

:ned that all the Russian. Italian, British and American born clothing

workers in our organization, all of them working hard and honestly for their

hood, most of them American citizens, many of them already drafted

or expecting to be drafted — that they were all German spies, enemies of

America, and should not be allowed to work on Army clothing.

The uninitiated were led by the skilled publicity agents to believe that
we not only controlled our members but also the United States Government
The Board of Control which had set itself conscientiously to the task of
eradicating the evils as above described from the Army Gothing industry,
was openly and viciously attacked because it refused to play politics, dealt
honestly and fairly with us and did not lend itself to the schemes of our
enemies against us. The stupid charge was made that we dictated the
appointments of the members while we failed to get representation for

cs.

To feed the sensational campaign against us, and in the hope of
ing Washington, "protest" meetings of "unemployed cloakmakers"
called to denounce us. The meetings were called and boisterously advertised
by no responsible organization or individual. The magic name of the
"masses" was constantly employed as the very intangible authority for the
"popular movement." The cry was raised that we had monopolized the Army
clothing jobs, and that because we would not permit the "thirty thoanttd idle
cloakmakers" to assist in the work, there was a shortage in clothing for the
National Army. The trained publicity staff of the "unemployed mi MM*
— a staff which has been conspicuous by its absence in all other cases of
unorganized and unemployed workers — very diligently circulated that story
through the public press. Fortunately, Secretary Baker issued a statement at
that time that the shortage in clothing was due to shortage in doth. But
the slander against us was kept up and pushed with vigor. To the

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OP AMERICA

observer it must have appeared rather strange that only "traitors" were
selected to make Army uniforms and that all loyal citizens were carefully
combed out into idleness.

The true situation was this:

When we took up the fight against sweatshop conditions in the Army
uniform manufacture, and for the restoration of Union standards, the shops
were largely filled with workers from other industries, mostly cloakmakers,
whose own trades were dull. It was because they considered their jobs tem-
porary that they had contented themselves with any sort of conditions
offered to them. When we organized those shops the workers from the
other industries continued at their Army uniform jobs. For the purpose of
controlling conditions we only required of them to become temporary mem-
bers of our organization. When we opened our Labor Bureau for Uniform
work, from which help was sent to uniform shops under our jurisdiction,
we sent members of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
along with our own members. An investigation made by us showed that
nearly half of the workers in such shops were members of the I. L. G. W. U.
Large numbers of our own members were at that very time jobless. The
union shops were filled ; the non-union shops were closed to them.

In view of the fact that the members of both organizations were looking
to the uniform industry for employment we proposed to the I. L. G. W. U.
to undertake with us a joint campaign for the organization of the entire
industry, wipe out sweatshop conditions everywhere and open up all shops
to the members of both organizations. As already stated above such
arrangements were successfully carried out in Philadelphia to the great
benefit of both unions. It is very much to be regretted that it was not carried
out in New York. The number of shops we succeeded in extending our
jurisdiction to could not, of course, absorb all of the unemployed workers
in the needle industry. Bad as the situation was it was further aggravated
by the lack of cloth, which caused frequent layoffs of those who were for-
tunate enough to have jobs. The important point is, however, that while
other organizations would in such circumstances, with perhaps not unpardon-
able selfishness, keep whatever jobs there were for their own unemployed
members, we shared them with the International Ladies Garment Workers'
Union. We also permitted them to have their own representative in our
Labor Bureau in order to make sure that they received thir just share of
jobs.

Nor could it be otherwise. Our industries are closely allied. Many of
our members hold membership in the International and work in their shops
and vice versa. The human material is the same. The same nationalities,
the same languages, living in the same sections of the city, reading the same
daily papers, holding the same social views, and coming to one another's
aid whenever necessary. The progressive views on the labor movement,
economic, political and in matters of mutual aid, prevail among the mem-
bers of the International as well as among the members of the Amalga-

150

BALTIMORE GONVKNT10N

ated. The members of the International know also that the fact of our
being outside of the so-called official labor movement, outside of the A F.
, cannot be charged up to us as the official labor movement is respon-
sible for it.

On :es seized upon the state of unemployment, charged us with

responsibility for it, and called "protest" massmeetings. Who paid for
the expensive halls, large quantities of printed matter, and various com-
es, whose personnel was not of the altruistic kind? The Goakmakers
Union repudiated those meetings, hence, it surely did not pay for them.
The employed workers could have no interest in paying the bills. The
>yed masses" were unable to pay, since poverty was the claim made
for them.

protest" meeting disclosed some of the elements in charge of
the affair. That was a combination of the Bible House scab agency, the trai-
tor who was made an outcast first by the workers and then by the employ-
ers, some renegades from the socialist movement, and some employers who
had their own reasons for assisting the "movement" of the "unemployed
masses."

The thinly veiled purpose of the first meeting was to bring about a
breach 1>< tv. cen our organization and the I. L. G. W. U. The Cloakmakers'
Union was, therefore, spoken of in very friendly terras, and fire was opened
on us in order to "save the Cloakmakers and their Union" from our domina-
tion.

On the next day the papers published reports of that meeting with
such amazing headlines as "The Clash Between Clothing Workers and the
Cloakmakers Growing." The officers of the I. L. G. W. U. and of our
organization promptly denounced the conspiracy and warned their
as well as the general public to be on their guard. The later "protest"
ings were, therefore, directed against the I. L. G. W. U. as well as against
our organization.

Women's Wear, a trade paper for the cloak and suit industry, said in an
issue in the month of December, 1917:

"It appears certain in the minds of men familiar with conditions ta
circles that the protest meeting, held yesterday on the East Side, was
that certain individuals who have spent most of their time in recent years
from the manufacturers to the unions and back again, according to the
money involved, were responsible for the event They saw to it that

nformed of the gathering.

"Factors in the cloak trade and students of labor conditions • '
little importance can be attached to the meeting of yesterday. They add t

people were hired to attend and

an investigation were made, it would disclose
contribute in the proceedings,"

This onslaught on us was more vicious and desperate than all others in

the sense that an attempt was made to destroy us by the cry of
to the nation generally — pro-German; "disloyalty" to the labor
particularly — secession, and "antagonism" to the Qoakmtkers' U
inost especially— denying their members an opportunity to work.

All of the subsequent activities of that crew were along the same lines and
for the same purpose. They ran their course and are now forgotten,

1S1

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OP AMERICA

We were not the losers by that additional experience.

The Board of Control was discontinued and Mr. Kir.-trin was made

sole administrator of Labor Standards in Army Uniforms. Later Mr. Kirstein

resigned and Prof. William Z. Ripley succeeded him. But none of those changes

tTected our organization. \\ li it \ve have attained we hold in the teeth of all

foes, all conspirators and all traitors.

United Hebrew Trades Refuses to Betray Clothing Workers.

The United Hebrew Trades is a local central body of Jewish trade unions
in New York. Since the advent of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
America all possible pressure was brought to bear in order to force that body
sn the warpath against us. But the U. H. T. has steadfastly refused to betray
the organized Clothing Workers.

In our report to the Second Biennial Convention we gave a complete
review of the case.

On March 20, 1915, the U. H. T. was expelled from a fictitious "Federated
Central Body" for refusing to unseat our local unions and substitute for them
the "local unions" of the scab agency.

On May 10, 1915, Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federa-
tion of Labor, appeared in person at the meeting of the U. H. T. and ordered
the expulsion of our local unions.

At its meeting of August 16, 1915, the U. H. T. received a peremptory
order from Gompers giving it two days time to expel our locals. The order
was not carried out, however.

The U. H. T. sent its then secretary, Abraham I. Shiplacoff, to the A.
F. of L. convention in San Francisco in the hope of finding a solution for the
vexing problem. No solution was found. The situation became so acute
that on December 6, 1915, our local unions voluntarily withdrew from the
I' H. T. in order to spare it the painful embarrassment of expelling them.
The U. H. T. adopted a resolution pledging itself not to admit locals of the
United Garment Workers.

Our formal relations were severed but not our actual relations.

Our local unions, like other large organizations, do not need the assist-
ance of the U. H. T., but the latter needs their assistance for those Jewish
trade unions which must look to the U. H. T. for their sole or chief support.
Our local unions have cheerfully continued to give liberal aid to such organ-
izations whenever called upon.

For nearly two years the U. H. T. was let alone. The withdrawal of
our locals from that body seemed to have given our enemies some measure
of satisfaction. In 1917 they renewed their crusade. The Central Federated
Union of New York, not the Federated Central Body mentioned above, whose
secretary was conspicuously mixed up with a pro-German movement, arrived
at the conclusion that the U. H. T. was not loyal to the United States and
must, therefore, be annihilated.

1S2

BALT1MOU CONVENTION

Accordingly, the Central Federated Union caused a resolution to be sub-
mitted to the convention of the American Federation of Labor, in Buffalo,
which is known at resolution No. 120. and is given below.

Back door diplomacy in Buffalo resulted in the dropping of the disloyalty
charge an Trades and its new secretary assured Gompert

that he was against the Amalgamated and with the Bible House clique.
That seemed to have paved the way for complete "exoneration" of the
Unit* Trades, although while the secretary of the United Hebrew

Trades professed oppose us, Benjamin Schlesinger, president of the

International Ladies Garment Workers' Union, insisted that all the organiza-
tions affiliated with the United Hebrew Trades, his own included, were in
full acconl with the Amalgamated, as they could not be otherwise.

The United Hebrew Trades was to stand the test of "loyalty" by admit-

: .inks the "locals" of the United Garment Workers and declaring

t the Amalgamated. That was the substance of a resolution

the United Hebrew Trades was called upon to accept, and which would

have been accepted without opposition, if the situation as described by the

seer Buffalo were true.

The Executive Committee of the United Hebrew Trades voted by
votes against four to recommend the adoption of the resolution.

For a full month a battle royal was waged, a vote having been postponed
from meeting to meeting.

The matter was finally brought to a head at a meeting of the United
Hebrew Trades on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1918. After a fierce battle of words
until the small hours of the morning the resolution as recommended by the

- utivc Committee was rejected by ninety votes against twenty-six. The
fight for the resolution was led by the secretary, Max Pine, and the fight
against it by Benjamin Schlesinger, Assemblyman Shiplacoff and others.

While the Amalgamated has been made the target for the attacks of the
reactionary oligarchy in the official labor movement, those attacks have really
been aimed at the progressive and radical spirit of the Jewish unions. Two
years ago that point was generally lost sight of because of the fact that the
Amalgamated was the only organization directly and immediately involved.
This time, however, the Amalgamated enjoys the pleasant company of the
Capmakers' Union. If the recommendation of the Executive Committee had
been accepted by the United Hebrew Trades, it would have meant warfare
not only against the Amalgamated but against the Capmakers' Union as
(Tnion which is now a credit to the labor movement, though
officially an outlaw, would have been branded as a "band of traitors, dis-
loyalists, etc," and a scab ai milar to that of the Bible House would
have taken its place in the United Hebrew Trades,

itus of the Capmak :on in addition to that of the Amalga-

mated has forcibly brought home to the delegates the fact that it is not *
tion of this or that organization but of a great principle: The right of
the workers to have honest and progressive unions. If submission to the
arbitrarim-«s of the official "labor leaders" meant war against the Amalga-

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

mated in 1917, war against the Capmakers' Union in 1918, why may It not
also mean war against the Cloakmakers' Union in 1919, against some other
union or unions in 1920, until the entire progressive labor movement would
be disrupted?

The realization of this great fact fired the spirit of the United Hebrew
Trades. The delegates realized that by submitting to the highhandedness
in our case tv. :tp> they did not stop it but encouraged it. They now

decided to act with courage, and they did.

No sooner did the action of the United Hebrew Trades become known
than the C. F. U. secretary of pro-German propaganda notoriety rushed into
print to denounce the U. H. T. as disloyal, pro-German, traitors, etc. In
other words, the loyalty of the United Hebrew Trades to the nation is not
to be determined by the manner in which it discharges its duties to the
country, by the number from its ranks in the National Army, and other
criteria usually applied to citizens, but by whether the United Garment
Workers are affiliated with it or not. If that dead body had been admitted
the United Hebrew Trades would have been pronounced loyal and patriotic.
Because it was not admitted the United Hebrew Trades is branded as dis-
loyal and pro-German.

That may give one a fair idea of the value of the indiscriminate cry of
"disloyalty" or "pro-German."

The proposition on which the Central Federated Union was willing to
purge the U. H. T. of the false charge of disloyalty, and allow it to live,
is contained in the following letter from Gompers:

Washington, D. C, Jan. 25, 1918.

WHEN REPLYING KINDLY REFER TO RESOLUTION NO. 120
OFFICERS AND DELEGATES,

OF THE UNITED HEBREW TRADES,

NEW YORK CITY.
Dear Sirs:

The Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor will shortly hold a
meeting at headquarters. It will be necessary for me to make report to my col-
leagues of the E. C. regarding the Hebrew Trades matter as dealt with by Resolution
No. 120 of the Buffalo Convention of the A. F. of L.

There have been two hearings on the Hebrew Trades matter and several con-
ferences. At one of these meetings the representative of the New York Central Fed-
erated Union submitted the following:

"All unions affiliated to the American Federation of Labor as local unions or
through international unions, making application for representation to, and in the
United Hebrew Trades, must be seated by that body, and full and sincere support
given.

'.! independent, dual or seceding unions at present seated in the United Hebrew
Trades must be unseated until they affiliate to the American Federation of Labor
direct or through International Unions so chartered.

"The United Hebrew Trades shall not by resolution or otherwise endorse, sup-
port, or assist any dual, independent or seceding organization."

As yet the representatives of the Hebrew Trades have not answered. It will be
necessary that I have that answer to report to my collagcucs of the E. C.

I am therefore writing to request that you let me have an answer so that the
entire matter may be in proper shape for report to the Executive Council.

Fraternally yours,

(Signed) SAM'L GOMPERS,

President.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR.

154

BALTIMORE CONVENTION*

In accordance with its action of February 6. the U. H. T. sent the fol-
lowing letter to the American Federation of Labor:

Executive Council.

American Federation of Labor, New York. February 9. 1911

Washington. D. C

Dear Sirs and Brother •

The tried policy of the United Hebrew Trades, during the thirty year* of their
existence, was to organize migrant Workers with the view to affiliate such

organization! i '-deration of Labor. That policy bar b—

• r as well at in spirit. At no time did the United H

Trades fail to urge and in tot >ce compel trade unions ot*anized by

affiliate with • of L either as federal locals or through t ieir National or

International bod;

\S have been and are not now directly affiliated %cith the A. F of

L we have at -i worked in harmony with you. In the break that occurred

in O in the ranks of the men's garment workers, the United Hebrew

Trades had no hand. In the two years subsequent to the secession of the tailors
from the Workers the U. H. T. left no stone unturned to r

.md to bring about harmonious relations between the men's

garment workers and the official body, recognized by the A. F. of L. but in rain
our efforts because of the stubbornness of the officers of the United Garment
Workers. The resignation of the locals of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers wa*
then affected to satisfy the demands of the Executive Council of tf of L

and ;» >n was then adopted a copy of which, is in the hands of Mr Samuel

Com; h reads "UNTIL THE EXECUTI >F THE AMERI-

DERATION OF LABOR WILL SUCCEED IN BRINGING THE OR-
GANIZATIONS OF THE MEN'S GARMENT WORKERS TO A NORM
CONDITION THE U. H. T. SHOULD REMAIN NEUT
BOTH THE UNITED GARMENT WORKERS OF AMERICA AND THE
AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA AND THAT UNTIL
THAT DESIRED TIME THE t BREW TRA

ICIAL CONNECTION WITH ANY OF THE BRANHCES OF WHICH
THE AFORESAID TWO ORGANIZATIONS ARE COMPOSED."
Ac therefore cannot possibly adopt the resolution of the Central
i of New York. If we were to do so it would demean us and destroy

fulness. Our loyalty and service to the cause of Labor during the last thirty years
thr lie to thr insinuation* contained in the wording of the proposed resolution
of the Central Federated Union, as we have no seceding or opposition unions in our
midst.

We take this occasion to impress upon you and the membership at large of the
American Federation of Labor, that we will at all times serve and support the
American Federation of Labor in its activities and require trade unions •ln
affiliated with us or not to affiliate with the American Federation of I.ah<
also v effort in our power to bring about harmony in the labo

whether it be in the needle trade or any other trade.

•h assurance of good will and loyalty to the cause of labor, we beg to

Very Fraternalh

UNITED HEBREW TRAD!
(Signed) M. Feinstone. Asst SecV

Samuel Gompers sent the following letter to the International organiza-
tions affiliated with the A. F. of

Washington. D. C. March 12.

Dear Sir & Broth

The Buffalo Convention of the American Federation of Labor when

ution No. 120. dealing with the subject of the United Hebrew Trades, declared as
follows: —

1. That a conference be held at thr possible time in the city of %
York at which five representatives of the United Hebrew Trades should meet
five representatives of the Central Federated Union of New York.

2. That a representative of utive Council of the American Federation
of Labor shall preside and participate for the purpose of endearorinf to carry out
the program of unity, solidarity, as well as loyalty to the American trade union move-
ment as represented by the A. F. of

That the representatives of the Executive Council of the A. F. of L shall
report the results of the conference to the following meeting of the Executive

Itt

AMALGAMATED CLOTH ING WORKERS OF AMERICA

4. That until after the conference and report as above provided, Resolution No.
120 be held in abeyance.

5. That unless a more satisfactory situation be established the Executive Council
shall be authorized and empowered to carry the provisions of Resolution No. 120 into
effect.

In conformity therewith, on December 16, 1917, the undersigned called and par-
ticipated in a conference in New York City, between the representatives of the United
Hebrew Trades, and the repre.« of the New York Central Federated Union.

e derated Union made the following proposition:

'1 unions affiliated to the -i Federation of Labor as local unions or

through international unions, making application for representation to and in the
: Hebrew Trades, must be seated by that body, and full and sincere support
given.

All independent, dual or seceding unions at present seated in the United Hebrew
Trades must be unseated until they affiliate to the American Federation of Labor
direct or through International Union so chartered.

The United Hebrew Trades shall not by resolution or otherwise endorse, support
or assist any dual, independent or seceding organization."

The United Hebrew Trades asked that another conference be held. The con-
ferees decided for a further conference.

January 6th another conference was held in New York City. At that conference
the United Hebrew Trades asked for extension of time so as to prepare those whom
they represented for the acceptance of the recommendation of the previous meet

The matter was held until the latter part of January, when on the 25th of that
month I wrote the United Hebrew Trades and insisted upon an immediate answer
so that the matter might be reported to my colleagues of the E. C. at their meeting
scheduled for February loth.

February 7th I was officially notified that the United Hebrew Trades had declared
against the proposition of the Central Federated Union.

The whole matter came before the E. C. at its meeting, February 10-17. The
directed that the instructions of the Buffalo convention as contained in Resolution
No. 120 should be put into effect. The resolution is as follows:

'Whereas, a serious condition exists in the clothing industry in Greater New
York, caused by what is known as the Amalgamated Clothing Workers, who seceded
from the United Garment Workers of America, with the intent of destroying that
recognized organization;

Whereas, the United Hebrew Trades, a body consisting of various local unions
of different trades and which is not chartered by the American Federation of Labor,
renders all possible support to the seceders, and is, therefore, antagonistic, and

Whereas, the United Hebrew Trades fathered and abetted and is in sympathy
with the organizations known as the "People's Council" and "Workmen's Council,"
who have declared in public print their intention of organizing one thousand branches
in the United States, the purpose being to, if possible, supplant the American Federation
of Labor; be it, therefore

Resolved, That the Thirty-seventh Annual Convention of the American Federation
of Labor direct all international unions whose local unions are represented in the
United Hebrew Trades to order all such local unions to withdraw from that body,
and in case such local unions refuse to withdraw, to reorganize them under the banner
of the American Labor movement."

Therefore, the object of this letter to you is to officially advise you of the action
taken upon this matter and to ask that the local unions of your international union
represented in the United Hebrew Trades in New York City, take necessary steps
to conform to the directions of the Buffalo convention, and that you advise me in
regard thereto.

That the American Federation of Labor and the Executive Council have been
absolutely fair and just in the course followed in the United Hebrew Trades case, no
one, I am sure wHl dispute. There is a bona fide central body in New York city affil-
iated to the A. F. of L., that is, the New York Central Federated Union; there is
no need for another central body in New York City, particularly one organized on
a racial or political basis. In addition it is prejudicial to the good name when such
a body is not only organized but refuses to accord equal advantages to all bona
fide trade unions. The A, F. of L. counts upon your prompt co-operation and com-
pliance with the declaration and decision, that if any local union of your international

BALTIMORE COHVMNT1ON

rj in the Unite,! Hebrew Trades of New York d u be

directed to withdraw therefrt

Trusting that 1 may hear from you at your early convenience and with kind
regards. I am,

Anally yours,

(Signed) SAM. CONFERS,

President American n of Labor.

us add here that the effect of the anathema pronounced against us by
the A. F. of L. it its 1914 convei Philadelphia was the reverse of what

it was intended to be. We hav n and prospered and loomed bigger

eh succeeding convention of the Federation.

The 191 : idclphia declared that whether right or wrong

\vr i heard. That was supposed to seal our fate. It did, but not

in tl. onal sense. It served to enhance the determination of our mem-

bership to fight their depending entirely upon their own strength.

\vonderful powers of self-reliance were thus developed in our organization.

The 1915 convention in San Francisco found the rlq**"rfg worker strong

ai d militant < :ihk- worry to our enemies in that

• the 1916 convention, in Bait he cause of the Amalgamated

found a powerful echo in open charges of strikebreaking

madt floor of the convention, in the sight of the delegates and visitors

:i thr hearing of the entire labor movement, against John Ferguson, ores-

Baltimore Federation of Labor, because of his strikebreaking

conspiracy against us in that i

At th< i. in Buffalo, our organization was more than once

the storm center of discussion both in comi >oms and at the plenary

sessions of the i >n.

The labor movement is I- to realize that we cannot be exterminated

by persecution, and also that it, the labor movement generally, is the loser

•r being oftic idc of its ranks.

Our Press

When we met in second convention, May, 1916, in Rochester, our
sted of two weekly publication- Fortschritt in Yiddish and Lavoro in
.n. It has since grown to five. Our message is now carried to our mem-
bership in five different languages. You all know their great educational value,
«•] that 1 of them. While bringing to our mem-

bers regularly the news of our organization we are striving to make our
journals as much as possible general working class educators. We believe that
we have fully succeeded.

Our papers in the order of their appearance, are as follows:
Fortsch Idish Weekly, began publication April 2, 1915.

Lavoro, Italian Weekly, began publication September n. 1915.

117

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Advance, English Weekly, began publication March 9, 1917.
Industrial Democracy, Polish bi-weekly, began publication March 9, 1917.
Industrial Democracy, Bohemian bi-weekly, began publication October ir
1917.

We hope to still further increase the number of our publications so that
we may eventually reach our members in all languages spoken by them.

In this connection we desire to call your attention to the necessity of
inr.king subscription for our official journals obligatory. It will serve the double
purpose of bringing our papers regularly to the members' homes and of providing
a sound foundation for the papers. The publication of five papers, which number
we hope to increase, is a tremendous financial burden to the organization. It
cannot be met by voluntary subscription. Subscription must be obligatory.
The subscription should be included in the regular dues by adding one cent a
week to the per capita tax. This system has been adopted by a number of our
local organizations but it should be made general.

Educational Work

We have never failed to emphasize the great importance of general educa-
tional work among our membership. The press cannot cover the entire field.
It must be supplemented by lectures and other means of education. For a
time it had been impossible for us to undertake such general educational work.
The problems of the moment were too many, too pressing, and in most cases
of an emergency nature. During the last lecture season we did finally make
a beginning. We met with most encouraging success in Baltimore. All lectures
were attended by large audiences. Frequently many people were turned back
because of lack of space. Among the lecturers were prominent educators from
Johns Hopkins University. Our members benefitted greatly by last season's
lectures.

Our Chicago organization, too, had a very successful lecture season with
very prominent lecturers.

We laid out elaborate plans in New York, where the Board of Education
co-operated with us by placing school facilities at our disposal, and we were
also assisted by very prominent and capable lecturers. The experiment in New
York did not meet with the desired success. But that simply means that the
methods must be further studied for the purpose of revising them so as to
insure success. It is our intention to make the educational work a permanent
feature of our organization. We realize that we will for some time be con-
fronted with obstacles in this new field but we are determined to overcome them.

Higher Per Capita

At several of our sessions we faced the financial problem which was
becoming more serious and compelling as our work was progressing. We

158

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

have been constantly called upon for increasingly greater assistance in organ-
m work, strike support h »oon became clear to us that a per

i of fifteen cents a month could not yield sufficient revenue to meet the
ing obligations of our organization. We repeatedly postponed action to
per capita in the hope that we might be spared that uninviting
task. But every succeeding Board session found the necessity for a large
revenue greater \\ V t'uuiu ..,..-;.•'-. 1 the inevitable and presented the situa-
tion to the membenh i \\ -d a motion to raise the per capita tax
from fifteen cents a month : five cents and it was carried by a :
endr.; The new rate went into effect
cginning of the year 1918.

At our February, 1918, session we decided to set aside twenty per cent,

out of each tw« cents per capita, for a strike fund. We

hat is a mere formality, for if the amount thus set aside should

- sufficient the balance of the treasury would be drawn upon if necessary,

1 to create the fund as the consciousness of the existence of such

•id will -ivr :nbers a larger sense of scur

Relief Outside of Our Own Ranks

Our meml t been frequently called upon to lend a helping hand to

their fellow members who were struggling for a better and happier life. Thus

B to the assistance of th< Chicago, Philadelphia, Baltimore,

. Boston, Louisville. Rut they also contributed liberally to other noble

and \vnrthy causes. 1 -us cases : When the Cloakmakers*

Union in New York was fighting for its life our members raised some twenty

odd thousand dollars for it. About eighteen thousand dollars passed through

the General Office, besides various amounts that were sent by our members

through other channels.

•• contributions were also made by our members to the defense fund
for Mooney and his colleagues, generally known as the San Fi

t n the tef Committee undertook its various enterprises for

the collection of of the Jewish War Sufferers in Europe

again contributed liberally. At the end of 1917 a campaign for
a five million dollar fund was inaugurated. Our local organizations volunteered
their co-operation and plans were laid out which if carried out completely,
1 have yielded an enormous amount of money as our members' share.
Unfortunately, howc% fuellcss Mondays interfered with these plans.

•ig to the shortage in coal the Government proclaimed a number of Mondays
as holidays for the purpose of suspending industrial activities on those days and
<s in working time made the successful execution of the
impossible. But substantial amounts of money were raised by our mem-
bers for the People's Relief Fund.

159

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OP AMERICA
In connection with this relief work we issued the following appeal:

To the District Councils, Joint Boards and Local Unions of the Amal-
gamated Clothing Workers of Ameru

Greet

About two months ago some of our local organizations undertook to raise funds

for the relief of the sufferers in the European war zone. The prospects for success

It looked as if our organization would add one more great

ment to its glorious record of successful accomplishments. Speedy and liberal

relief for the suffering multitudes is so urgent that no speed may be too great and

no amount of money, ho\v< e, may be too liberal.

t while our will was there our power was not. A new factor, entirely unforeseen
and unexpected — the Government's order for the suspension of industrial activities for
a number of days— served to temporarily check our work for the great cause. It
made effective work impossible for the time being.

That order for the suspension of industrial activity has now been rescinded. Our
members are again in a position to work full time. The duty to resume the fulfillment
of our self imposed task now becomes still more imperative. The need for relief is
surely no less now than it was a few months ago. A great deal of valuable time has
been lost. We must see to it that effective work is done from now on.

The General Executive Board, at its session in Philadelphia last week, devoted
much of its time to the consideration of this matter. After a thorough discussion the
Board unanimously decided to issue an appeal to the membership to renew the activity
for the relief of the war sufferers and to do all in their power to make it a success.

Our sister organization, the International Ladies Garment Workers' Union, had
designated Washington's Birthday as War Relief Day. That day is one of a group of
legal holidays for which the cloak manufacturers pay their employes, in accordance
with an understanding between them and the Union. The Union proclaimed that
Washington's Birthday should this time be celebrated by work instead of by rest.
That meant two days' pay for that day's labor. The additional pay was set aside
for the War Relief Fund. It yielded a large amount of money, which is a credit to
the workers and a blessing to the war victims.

Our organization has no understanding with our employers in the matter of legal
holidays and cannot carry out a plan based on such an understanding as our sister
organization did. But the duty to come to the rescue of our suffering brothers
and sisters rests on us nevertheless.

We must find our way of extending a helping hand to them. The General Execu-
tive Board appeals to you to make your best efforts in this noble task.

While originally the appeal was made to our Jewish members only, and for
Jewish war sufferers only, the General Executive Board appeals to all of our mem-
bers, regardless of race or nationality, and urges them one and all to co-operate. The
contributions received from each national group of our membership will go to the
corresponding nationality for its own war relief purposes. The funds raised by the
Jewish members will go to the Jewish war sufferers; the funds raised by the Italians
will go to the Italians, and so on.

The slogan of the relief campaign when it was first opened was A DAY'S WAGES.
This should also be the slogan now. The Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
does not levy this as a compulsory assessment upon its membership. It is a call from
our International Organization for voluntary contributions. Wherever a full day's
wages is possible that should be the contribution.

While it is true that with the present high cost of living a day's wages means a
great deal to a workingman, we must remember the greatness and the urgency of the
cause for which this money is being solicited.

Many millions of people of our own blood, connected with us by the closest
family ties, are suffering the tortures of a long, ruthless and unparalleled war. Our
own country has been at war less than a year, is geographically at a safe distance
from the enemy and economically prosperous, yet we have already felt very strongly
the effect of the war. How great then must be the sufferings of those unfortunate
who have been in war three and a half years, with their homes wrecked, their

160

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

countries devastated and their lives mined? Practically all of Europe is crying wftfc

und anguish.

No one can bring them help except wt JHft. in this country. We are still f<

-ough to be the least affected of all nations engaged in this war. It is our

duty to help those who are dying from lack of food, clothing and shelter. The call

coming to us from the other side of the ocean has been heeded by large numbers of

our fellow citi/rns in this count now our turn to do our share We have not

m any field of activity to which we were called Let us do our full

MOW.

Most of us come from those very countries where this terrible conflagration is
now raging. We have found a home of refuge in this country. Were it not for the
accident of our having left the old world before the war began we would *

been among the great suffering let now crying to us for a crumb of bread,

l fo

Let us be grateful for having reached these shores before the scourge now torturing
Europe overtook us. Let us show that we are worthy of the advantages w<
in this country by responding to the cry of despair coming from our fellow

Europe overtook us. Let us show that we are worthy of the advantages we enjoy
is country by responding to the cry of despair coming from our fellow
,:•» on the other side of the globe and giving them whatever help we can.

A day's wages is a large sum for a workingman to deprive himself of. But sacri-
are always made in proportion to the needs. The Cause calling to us compels
'i should be made willingly and cheerfully. Remember that

vitli our day's wages, given up in the happy consciousness of perform-
ing a sacred dur -ular daily occupations, we continue taking

care of our families and providing for their comfort and welfare. The giving up of a
on ;:•! for this noble cause is, after all, no greater financial hardship than the

loss of wages because of a fuelless Monday, a strike or any other cause that may
affect our earnings. The unfortunates for whom our contrih the

saving of untold numbers of human lives, possibly the saving of the entire ge

hysical and moral ruin, have at present no occupations or means olli -
hood. Nor will they have any until the lives of the peoples generally become normal
.

Pol he example set by many of our own members our contributions may

be thout any financial hardships on us. In a number of cases our members

have arranged with their employers to work overtime in order in that way to earn the
ra money needed for the contribution. In that way our contribution is labor and
not a part of our regular earnings. The additional physical exertion for a few :
hours in a given period is surely a sacrifice that every one of us can well afford to
In fact, it ought to be considered a pleasure and a privilege to make that
physical effort for the alleviation of the suffering* of millions of people. If such
ngements were possible in some cases they may be possible in many m

A number of our members made their contributions before the industrial sus-
sion order went into eiTrrt. Our appeal is directed to those who have not yet con-
tributed or who have not contributed their full share.

In the name of our great and militant Organization, which is dear and beloved to
all of us, we appeal to you. Respond to the call of the suffering millions freely and

rartmess and enthusiasm which have always been c

acteristic of our membership. Take action immediately. Let there be no further
delay. Starvation and Death don't wait. Relief must, therefore, also make hast*.
You may send your collections to the local relief committees, if any, in your re*pecf
cities, or directly to the undersigned. In all cases, however, you will please send
complete reports to the undersigned.

Urging you again to live up to the true Amalgamated spirit in this case as yom
did in all others, we greet you in the hope of sucrr

Very fraternally you

GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE AMALGAMATED CLOTH-
ING WORKERS OF AMF

JOSEPH SCHLOSSBERG. General Secretary.
Manifesto on the Situation as Created by the World War.

1 our banner in the clothing imiustry. at the end of 1914,
the present world war had just begun. The general impression prevailing

1C1

AMALGAMATED CLOTHINC WORKERS OF AMERICA

at that time was that a war conducted on so colossal a scale must burn itself
out within a short time. "Authorities" had predicted the end of the war
within a few months. But the war has been fiercely raging nearly four years,
and the end is not in sight yet. Contrary to all hopes the war has steadily
gjown extensively and intensively until it has staggered human imagination.
Both hemispheres with half of the world's population are now in the war.
The civilized world has developed such amazing powers as had been incon-
ceivable before they were brought forth by the pressure of necessity. To
sustain so much destruction of life and treasure, so much devastation, with
the best blood withdrawn from economic and social life, for four long years,
with the burdens growing ever heavier rather than lighter, requires a genius
and a vitality that the human race had not been credited with before it was
put to the test. The thought naturally suggests itself: If the vital forces
of the people can withstand so much misery, suffering and desolation- how
much joy, happiness and prosperity could the people give to themselves if
they were free to apply those awakened forces to such purposes. This war
disposes of the last shreds of dismal Malthusianism.

As stated, our hopes for a speedy end of the war failed to materialize.
Mot only is the war in Europe raging with growing fierceness, but since
Ajjnl, 1917, our own country, which had been hopefully looked to by the
suffering world as the logical peacemaker, has been one of the most active
belligerents. The entrance of our country into the European war, actively
battling on the other side of the ocean, has more than any other single factor
emphasized the internationalization of the world. Modern economic life has
completely destroyed the provincialism of the previous generation. It is mak-
ing of all nations and races one great human family, mutual and interde-
pendent.

The world is radically different now from what it was four years ago.
One need not be a great statesman or philosopher in order to realize that the
world is being remade. That can be seen with the naked eye by every hum-
ble mortal. It has particularly been visualized by the emancipation of Russia
from autocracy, the revolutionization of the British labor movement and the
emerging of a new proletarian International from the smoldering ruins of the
old one.

Briefly the situation is this:

The war came against the wishes of the labor movement of all the world,
and we are now in its grip.

With the war came the long train of accompanying conditions which are
against the interest of the people, but we are helpless in the face of them.
They are here. The working classes have been unable to shape the situa-
tion in accordance with their desires and can't help taking it as it is.

But with all our grief at the war and the ruin it has wrought, we cannot
shut our eyes to the constructive events that have happened as a result of

162

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

the upheaval, the shaking up of the foundation of the old social order and
the releasing of vast democratic forces, which will, without a doubt, destroy

racy political as well as economic. With the seas of human blood
and tears steadily swelling. c groans of tortured mankind filling

aing curses forcing themselves on our lips for those respon-
sible for the all the misfortune and distress, we
must pause to greet the reju •: of the world, the coming emancipation
of manki that is v forces born out of the world's agonies will
achieve While we cannot at present halt the process of destruction we hail

joy the forces of construction issuing from it. So strong is our faith
in the birth of the new democracy, the new freedom, the new social order,
that we make bold to believe that when this war will be over the outraged
peoples of the world will be so thoroughly aroused against their rulers and
oppressors that inilit .vill be allowed to continue after the

might mean armed revolution. It may not at all be a wild exaggeration
to in ir will be over, autocracy, or what may be left

of it. will find itself between the devil of militarism that might rise against
it as Russian militarism rose against Czarism, and the deep sea of non-mili-
tarism in which autocracy must suffer shipwreck upon the rocks of the
people's opposition.

In a word, it is our firm belief that autocracy, in its all inclusive sense,
is now digging : . grave. The trenches from which it conduct

operations lead directly to it

In view of this situation, which in the above sense is magnificent I
all of its hidcousness and inspiring with all of its shocking cruelties, we
thought it our duty to issue a pronunciamento for the guidance of our mem-
We have, therefore, issued the following manifesto, which we are
sure has met with the full approval of our membership:

Manifesto on the Present World Crisis to the Membership of the

A. C. W. of A.

The World War i -ear. Much as the great drama has

touched every human heart in the civilized world from its very beginning, it
has been brought home to the working class in this country during the

ve mon< iculary through three events which stand out boldest

of all. They are, in their chronological order : The great Russian revolution,
the entrance of the United Stat< e war, and what we may truly call

the new birth of the British Labor Movement.

The Russian revolution was in every respect the greatest and most far
reaching of all revolts and uprisings of the oppressed of the world against
their oppressors recorded in human history. It was the greatest contribution
•ie democratic forces in all countries, and of greatest historical signi-
ficance to the working classes of the world.

America's entrance into the war added one hundred million souls, and the

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

vast resources of tlu> count rv. to the nations allied against Prussian

Militarism.

The ringing message of the British Labor movement to their fellow work-
ers everywhere proclaiming the struggle for a NEW SOCIAL ORDER, and
calling upon the peoples of the world, those of the enemy nations included,
TO DECLARE THEMSELVES, has thrilled the soul of every liberty lov-
ing man and woman battling for a free and democratic Industrial Common-
wealth, without classes, without imperialism and without wars.

In the course of the past year, too, Prussian militarism has thrown off all
restraint and challenged Civilization in the most amazing shamelessness and
brutality, surpassing all of its past records of vandalism and ruthlessness in
Belgium, Serbia and everywhere else. German militarism now stands as the
brigand of the world, employing all the attainments of thousands of yean of
civilization in assassinating, crushing and plundering nations.

Brave Russia, with its limbs still aching and its wounds still bleeding
from the slavery of centuries of which it had just freed herself, is heroically
struggling against the Prussian military monster who is seeking to destroy
her. Our hearts go out to heroic Russia; we are tempted to say holy Rus-
sia, martyred Russia. Russia's role in this frightful world tragedy gives the
struggle against German militarism new meaning, new substance.

In the past year, too, President Wilson has infused a new spirit in the
peace discussions among the nations, proclaiming democratic terms, aiming
at a general, democratic and lasting people's peace. President Wilson's re-
cent addresses to the Congress of the United States have given force and
vitality to the people's demand for a peace on the basis of no annexations,
no punitive indemnities and self-determination of the nations.

President Wilson has thrown the weight of his high authority in the
scale against the establishment of militarism in this country.

Militarism is militarism with all the horrors that it implies, wherever and
whenever it may exist.

Prussian militarism is the greatest horror of the world only because it
has attained the highest degree of development. Any other militarism de-
veloped as fully and as completely would be a like menace to the nations
of the world. It is the fervent hope of all mankind that the termination of
this war will end war forever. The imposition of a permanent militarism
upon the people can have no other meaning than preparation for another
war. President Wilson has earned the gratitude of the American people by
his firm stand against inflicting the scourge of militarism on us.

President Wilson has also voiced the sentiments of the American people,
particularly of the working class, by his inspiring message of cheer and hope
to the Soviet Congress of the Russian nation in Moscow.

164

BALTHCOU CONVENTION

The hearts of all liberty loving people of the world arc with Russia. They
have been yearning for an opportunity to send to Russia a word of sympathy
and encouragement in her great crisis. President Wilton's heartfelt mesttgt
has gratified that burning desirr It has shown isolated Russia that American
democracy is ready to extend to her a helping hand and bring her closer to
the democracies of the world so that she may draw strength from a cordial
sisterhood of free peoples).

With President Wilson we hold that we are not at war with the Teutonic

peoples. They are suffering under their militarism more than do other peo-

always h them in times of peace as well as in riflict

ir. Unfortunately, for themselves as well as for the rest of the world*

they have not as yet the strength to free themselves from it. We want their

cooperation, as soon as we can get it, in overthrowing all militarism and all

We joyfully take this occasion to reaffirm our attitude as repeatedly
<-d in our press to the effect that we stand by President Wilson in bis

efforts for a democratic and durable peace, as shown by his recent addresses
e Congress of the United States, by his message to Russia and by bis

steadfast opposition to militarism.

The Labor Movement of the world cannot progress fully and attain
highest goal unless its chain encircling the globe is complete and has all links
as defeat for any nation, as distinguished from its rulers and
oppressors, will be an injury to mankind, and an imperialistic peace wi:
the foundation for more wars, so will the enmity of the working class of
one country for that of another because of the crimes of their masters, destroy
that spirit of solidarity which is indispensible in the international struggle
for the NEW SOCIAL ORDER. The modern labor movement, like modern
civilized life generally, is interdependent and international.

History is moving with bewildering speed. The working class of the
world is today the biggest factor in this task of rapid history making. The
world is being recast and remoulded. Radical and revolutionary changes in
our accepted modes of life have themselves become a normal condition. The
interests of the human race call upon the working class to step forward,
assume power and save civilization from disaster. In Russia and in England
the worker* have made giant strides in the direction of carrying otr

ion history has assigned to them. In Russia the working class did it in
the only way possible in that :\ country. In England, where the work-

ing class was fortunate enough to live under more civilized

izcd methods arc possible.

We congratulate the British Labor Movement upon its epoch
declarations, which have the approval and support of the labor movements
in the several countries represented in the Inter-Allied Labor Conference in
London.

lift

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

We speak for the great masses of the organized workers in our industry,
each and everyone of whom, we know, hails with joy the ennobling utter-
ances of our British fellow workers.

We extend most fraternal greetings to the Mission sent to this country by
the working classes of the Allied countries in Europe and bid them a hearty
welcome.

Long live true social democracy !
Long live th< now working class International!
the General Executive Board of the

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA.
SIDNEY HILLMAN JOSEPH SCHLOSSBERG,

General President. General Secretary.

CONCLUSION

Lengthy though this report is it does not tell the full story of our activities.
Our organization is so young and our tasks arc increasing so rapidly that the
recording of our work must be done with the greatest of haste. As we said
on a former occasion : We are too busy making history to be able to write it.
This report was written so close to the convention that a more complete
record and a fuller discussion of the many problems we dealt with and of
those we are confronted with could not be attempted. In this concluding
part we shall present to you only a few brief memoranda.

Uniform Financial System for the Local Unions.

Since the last convention we have made great improvements in the
financial methods of our local organizations. You who arc familiar with
the system, or lack of system, prevailing under the former regime, where
records were mostly conspicuous by their absence, and seldom served any
useful purpose by their presence, will appreciate the great value of the
uniform and modern financial system we have devised for our local organ-
izations. We thought it worth while going to the big expense of printing
uniform ledgers, day books, cash books, vouchers and other paraphernalia.
We have urged all our local unions to adopt them. While we have not
made the use of our system compulsory and not all of our local organizations
have adopted them as yet, the number of those who have is steadily growing.
The smaller local union is thus in a position to enjoy the benefit of a modern
and up-to-date system of financial accounting. We feel that it will not take
long before the system introduced by us will be installed throughout our
organization.

Our official auditor, Mr. Victor Benedict, has audited the books of a
number of our local organizations in different parts of the country, including
also Montreal, Canada. In all cases the locals have found those audits and

166

BALTIMORE cotfW

the improvements in bookkeeping made by the auditor of great benefit. One
of the greatest advantages is the fact that those audits made under oar
direction tend to strengthen the confidence of the membership in the
organization.

We have also laid out plan^ for the gathering of all such si
may be of interest to our organization. We are making efforts to educate
our local officers to the necessity of such data. We arc sure that in time
11 become a very useful source of information. We hope to be able to
•how t s in our report to the next convention.

Bonding of Local Officers.

We havr entered into an arrangement with a bonding company for the

bonding of the local officers. According to this arrangement the office it

instead of the particular officer. This is a great advantage for the

local unions, as it dispenses with all the red tape incidental to bonding and

makes it unnecessary to -roccdurc when a new officer is elected.

!>ond is continuous for the office regardless of who the officer is. The fee

is most desirable that all of our subdivisions should avail
selves of this opportunity. The necessity of it need hardly be emj

Our Organization Active on AH Fields.

Our members have not confined their activities exclusively to the ii
trial field. There is hardly a branch of social activity along the lines of
progress in its best sense as understood by the modern working cla-

•i our organizations have not participated. In the progressive labor
world the Amalgamated has been recognized as a definite and powerful factor
for the promotion of the great cause of labor. The Amalgamated has never
failed to line up with other labor bodies in various undertaking* of the
progressive labor movement. Outside of orr immediate field the most
important contribution was quite naturally made by our organizations and
members on the political field. When the socialist campaign comes we are
second to none in our contributions of funds, labor, enthusiasm, CimliditM
cteil officials. We made a particularly great contribution last
November in the State of New York. Of the Socialist officials and lawmakers
elected, the following arc members of our organization : Judge Jacob Panken,
of Local 156, New York. Assemblyman Abraham I. Shiplacoff of Local 213.
New York. Alderman Baruch C. Vladeck of Local 3, New York. Alderman
Abraham Bcckcrman of Local 4. New York. Supervisor Jacob J. Levin of
Local 14. Rochester, Nf. Y. Alderman George Stahley of Local 14, Roch-
ester, \ V

We are proud of the fact that the labor movement activity of our members
is broad and general, and are also proud of their doing their full share in all
cases. With this magnificent spirit, vast fund of energy

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

of self reliance, all of which are growing and increasing as our members arc
doing their work, who can doubt that we will attain our great goal I

Recent Wage Increases

While this report was being written our membership in different parts of
the country has secured new and additional wage increases, some of which
have already been recorded here and some have not. To mention but a few :
ten and fifteen per cent to the employees of Hart, Schaffner & Marx in
Chicago; ten per cent to the employees of Strouse & Brothers in Baltimore;
two dollars weekly increase to all the Children's Clothing workers in New
York on May first; two dollars to all clothing cutters in New York the
first week in May; also increases to the Shirtmakcrs in New York and
Philadelphia.

In connection with the recent wage increases we are glad to note a new
policy that has lately been inaugurated by some of our local organizations.
In New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and probably also in other
places, the members voted to contribute the amount of the first week's wage
increase to a special reserve and defense fund which the organization may
fall back upon in case of an emergency. The wisdom of such action ;
obvious that we heartily congratulate those organizations who have taken it
and recommend it to those who have not.

Great Victory for Children's Clothing Workers.

Just before leaving New York for the convention, May 7th, we were
happy to record a victory in the strike against the firm of Samuel Glass,
Brooklyn, after a struggle of more than three months. For the first time
the working conditions in the plant of that factory will be under the juris-
diction of the Joint Board of the Children's Clothing Trades.

May Day Celebration.

We cannot close without a word about our May Day celebrations.

The first of May is a legal holiday of our organiatzion. Each year we
have asked our members to celebrate it in a fitting manner, and they never
failed to do so. This year, that day had a special significance.

It was the first May Day with our country as an active participant in
the world war; the first May Day with free Russia as an established fact,
all the unfortunate conditions in that country notwithstanding; finally, the
first May Day with the inspiring messages of the British Labor Party and
the Inter-Allied Labor Conference as the property of the working classes of
the world. Such a May Day it was our duty to celebrate in a manner that
should give true expression to its spirit. Our members rose to the occasion.
Never before did this country see such a May Day celebration. As was
expected, New York led. The New York Joint Board boldly hired Madison
Square Garden, the largest meeting hall in the country, for its May Day dem-
onstration. Its members did not go to work that day. They responded to

168

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

the call of their organization to celebrate the International Labor Day. Over
and of them paid a relatively high admission fee and filled the vast
ithratrr In a ! iition to addresses and resolutions expressing the aea-
tinients ..f the occasion, our members had the joy of hearing lyric and
musical artists of the highest order, members of the Metropolitan Open
Company, who rendered classic music and revolutionary hymns. Our dem-
onstration aroused universal interest. For an organization of one imhtttiy
to fill Madison Square Garden by a voluntary sale of ticket* was sufficient
to ta imagination of the most optimistic. That was not or

May Day demonstration in the accepted meaning of the term ; it was at the

- lime a revelation of the wonderful powers of our organization. How
much good may these powers yet bring for our own members and for the
working class generally! The Madison Square meeting also netted *

:sand dollars for the relief of the War Sufferr

same spirit was manifested at the May Day meetings of oar
ization in other parts of the country.

Thanks To Our Friends

We close with an expression of sinccrest thanks to all labor

izatiuns and individuals who have faithfully stood by us in all of our

trying struggles \Vhilc we cannot enumerate them here we shall ever

remember them all. Gratefulness for the good done to us is one of the

>;cst characteristics of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.

To you, delegates, and through you to our great membership, we cipctat
our heartfelt gratitude for the trust and confidence reposed in us. It is an
honor and a privilege to serve a movement so virile and so imbued with the
of the revolutionary mission of the working class of the world.

We have fought and we have won. Our success and victories r-
brought to us greater tasks and heavier responsibilities, and we have under-
taken them all with absolute confidence in our ultimate triumph.

.ts are moving fast. When the war will end the change
war life to peace life might come with a jerk that will shake out from their
moorings those who will be caught unawares. The enemies of labor will
take advantage of the transition in order to reduce labor to the level of the
dark days of old. Woe to those who will find themselves unprepared. The
now fills the world with the call to labor to prepare itself fully
and effectively for the events that arc yet to come. Those who will heed
this call will be saved.

In obedience to our own spirit as a progressive and militant organisation;
in obedience to this special call to the proletariat of the world, and in
encc to the general mission of the working class, let at reaffirm,
and strengthen our dctr ^n for a one hundred per cent enlightened

organisation of the Clothing Workers of America.

On to Victory!

Iff

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

At the conclusion of his report, the reading of which took nearly four hours, the
Secretary received an ovation, everybody rifling, cheering and applauding for several
minutes.

Secretary SCHLOSSBERG, rising in response to the demonstration, said: When
artists are applauded they usually play or sing their part over again. Do you want me
to read the report over again? (Laughter.) I want to add this to the report. The
program of the Inter-Allied Labor Conference and the New Social Order of the
British Labor Party were inserted here for the benefit of the delegates, so that they
may be able to read them and familiarize themselves with them. Unfortunately, these
documents, which should have been made most popular amongst the working men
In this country, are least known among them, while non-working men know them
better than the working men. We have inserted them here so that you delegates
really should take the trouble and time to read them. You have heard a great deal
about them, but have never read them. I also want to say that the financial
will be read at the next session, and that the General Executive Board will, no doubt,
have some recommendations to make as a part of its report, also at subsequent sessions.

President HILLMAN: I received a telegram yesterday from Professor Ripley
that on account of our strikes in Philadelphia he could not come here. Professor
Ripley, as I explained before, is Chairman of the Board of Labor Standards, lie has
authority to decide in every controversy between us and the employers in the making
of uniforms. For the last few days we had a strike and a lock-out in the city of
Philadelphia. He had to proceed to Philadelphia and New York. He wired me today:
"Afraid my chance to address convention lost, as I must go to New England. Sin<
Charles Ripley." I am sorry that we will not have the opportunity to listen to him.

Report of Committee on Miscellaneous.
Chairman William Drubin reported for the Committee on the following resolutions:

RESOLUTION NO. 3, BY LOCAL 51, ON CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT.

Whereas, the co-operative movement helps the working people to free themselves
from the exploitation of the capitalist class;

Whereas, such a movement affords the workers an opportunity to become accus-
tomed to manage industry for themselves;

Resolved, That the Amalgamated Clothing Workers go on record as favoring
the co-operative movement among their members.

LOCAL 51, A. C. W. OF A.,

P. DeLucca,
Adopted: Ulisse De Domlnicii.

WM. DRUBIN, Chairman.

F. J. BARTOZ, Secretary.

The committee recommends the adoption of this resolution.

President HILLMAN: You have -heard the report of the committee. The recom-
mendation is to concur with the resolution.

Delegate LEVIN. Brother Chairman and Delegates — Before you vote on this
resolution consider whether it will benefit the working class as a whole. The
co-operative movement will not relieve in any way the working class. I would like
those who introduced the resolution to answer this question: Where the necessities of
life are lower, is the working class better off? I don't see the importance of applying
the energy of this organization In such a direction where the working class as a whole
will not benefit by it. Therefore, I am opposed to this resolution.

President HILLMAN: I want to make clear that this resolution simply encour-
ages that movement amongst our locals, if they desire to take it up.

The resolution was adopted with one dissenting vote.

RESOLUTION NO. 7, BY LOCAL 63, NEW YORK, ON HIGH COST OF LIVING.

Owing to the excessive and uncontrolled cost of living, which, as the Government
statistics show, has risen much higher than the wages of the workers, be it resolved,
that this convention requests the co-operation of other friendly organizations for tht
purpose of curtailing any further increase in the necessities of life.

170

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Be It Further Resolved. To urge ear sismbsrs to start
order to destroy profiteering of the middleman.

Be It Also Further Resolved. That the local onions be
view of the incessant rising of the cost of living, s raise of
meet the necessary demands of life.

As to the second clause of this resolutloa.
mends that this be done locally, not In the name of
In other words. It means non-concurrence.

President HILLMAN: You have heard the resolution read. The
la "non-concurrence." Are you ready for the question?

49. BY LOCAL 176. NEW YORK. ON PLACE FOR HOLDING THE

'u.s. it is fitting that labor conventions be held in
population is greatly In sympathy with organised labor; aad

...ess. the workers of Brownsville have built a labor Ijnism. whldb to not
only the pride of the community, but also one of the finest **^^»*«gT of Its **»d to
the wor . ; and

oreas, the A. C W. of A. have had a great share In the creatloa aad mala-
tenance of the Institution;

Be It. Therefore. Resolved. That the next convention of me A. C W. of A. be
held in the Brownsville Labor Lyceum.

SIMON HAAS.
JACOB ZUCKBBMAN.
JOSEPH BLOOM.

WILLIAM mirwx. Chairman.
BARTOZ. Secretary.

Presldt \LAN: We advise the delegates

earn at to make nominations. We have an order of
place for the next convention is on that order. The coot
resolution at this time.

Brother Rosenblum will read a communication from
convention.

Letter from the Rsnd School.

Comrades and Friends: On behalf of the Rand School of Social Sal SIM, aad by
instruction of Its Board of Directors. I send you hearty coagratulalioas oa ta* great
work your union has done within the few years of Its exist eace. aad wish you the
utmost success in the tasks that are still before you.

We know that the Amalgamated offers a splendid example of militant aad
•tractive trade unionism beosase its officers an

combine efficient, orderly and disciplined action ta tae dally routine of

«t and unde

work with a clearness of vision and understanding of theoretical principles which to
all too rare in the labor movement of this country. Ta* service you are rsaisrtag
is not rendered to the men and women of the clothing Industry aloas. but to the
whole working class.

An important element in your success Is the fact that you have always
the Importance of education as aa essential pan of the trade union work-that you
not been content to get members Into the organisation, but are always
make them understand Its purposes and its needs.

he Rand School can be of service to you la promoting tae wart of
education among the tnassss of your members. i^jbaU count It a prlrttege to have

We should like to call your sttentioa to the efforts the Raad School to maktat
in the direction of a more spirlaimtd aad thorough lastruotioa aad tralaiag of
wage workern for the purpose of equipping them for senrlc* oa the miastllU as
well as the political field as organisers, propagandists, secretaries, aad a all etaer

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

capacities. We shall be pleased if representatives of your organization will confer
with us and see if the work can be furthered by regular conference and co-operation
between your body and ours.

With repeated congratulations and good wishes, I am,

Fraternally yours,

ALGERNON LEE,
Educational Director.

President HILLMAN: If there is no objection, we may refer this to the Committee
on Education to brine in a recommendation to this convention.

Secretary 8CHLO66BERG: There is a letter here from the Kropotkln Publication
Society. This is an organization that has made It its purpose to publish in Yiddish,
Socialist and revolutionary classics from different languages. They addressed a
communication to this convention.

(Secretary Schlossberg read the following English translation from the Yiddish:)

"New York, May 14, 1918.

"To the Third Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,

"Baltimore, Md.

Tellow Workers: It is now six years since the Kropotkin Literature Society
has been circulating Yiddish Socialist education among the Jewish laboring masses.
We issue two large books a year — two Socialist classic works translated into Yiddish.
Last year we published two large parts of the greateet work of Karl Marx, 'Capital,'
and are now in the process of publishing the third and last part. The society is
publishing those books, not for the puipose of making profits. Most of the work
is being done without compensation, as is amply proven by the fact that we have
published eight large volumes, though we had no funds.

"We ask you, a great Jewish labor organization, to recognize our work and to find
ways and means to enable us to serve more directly the educational needs of yonr
great body.

"We greet your efforts and wish you success.

"For the Executive Committee.

"DR. 1. J. A. MARYSON, Treasurer."

Brother Rosenblum read the following communications:

Rochester, N. Y., May 15, 1918.

On behalf of the Italian Local of Rochester, N. Y., I wish most ardently that
the convention will find ways and means to deal with the industrial oppression in
this city. May our freedom rise from the ruins of the present slavery. We send our
fraternal wishes to all the delegates.

FOR THE ITALIAN LOCAL,
G. Artoni, Organizer.

Baltimore. Md., May 16, 1918.

Congratulations and best wishes. May the work of the convention result in
your building a still better and stronger organization.

PROGRESSIVE LABOR LYCEUM OF BALTIMORE.
Boston, Mass., May 15, 1918.

Brothers, accept our congratulations. Your record of achievements is the pride
of the Jewish labor movement. We are proud to have your locals affiliated with ••.
Best wishes on the road to success.

UNITED HEBREW TRADES OF BOSTON,

M. Hamlin, Secretary.

New York, N. Y., May 15, 1918.

We, th« chairmen of L. Barash's district, greet the delegates to this convention.
We rejoice in the great achievements of our organization. We hope that in time the

172

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

entire labor
Only then can we
and hope yon will
success, such as short
should make tbe

nentr-higber. higher, higher!
of Arnt-r

LEON BARABH. I. WE1TZ. U Ml MCH. N. WOLF. II.
A. flABEI.ER. N OLUN8KY. 8 RUDOLF. ft.

t'ERLASF. H. BLUM. J. NEEDLE. M. HUDB8.

Now York. N. Y . May U. till.

u Hugo*, car* Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America.

Garden Theatre, Baltimore. M

Take my place. Greeting convention heartily in behalf of
my regret*. Sickness. "Forward" admires splendid
growth of Amalgamated Clothing Workers. Pledge snj
and devotion.

New Yor May U. l»ll.

Greeting* and best wishes to tbe officer* and ilslsgife* May the
the men's clothing worker* united In one organisation within the fold of the
of Labor.

BENJ
International Ladies* Garment Workers'

Now York. N. Y . May IS. 111!

Congratulations. Beat wisbea to your convention. May yow fighting sptrtt
your great cause bring greater bappinea* for yoor snssibor*. 1%e
Good* Worker* will never forget tbe great aid and ssslstaaoa rendered to o*Jr nlom
in the time of need by tbe Amalgamated Clothing Worker* of America.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Report of the Resolutions Committee.
Delegate PAUL ARNONB reported for tbe resolution*
••SOLUTION NO. 6, BY LOCAL $4. ON WAGE RATE

Whereas, tbe percentage system in making iStfltaeajti U a
tow paid workers, bo a re*olved. that this convention goo* on
that when *ettlement* are made with employers the poroeejtago rate of
bo abolished and tbe Increase snail be on equal basis to all
Tbe committee reonenmend Hie adoption of this resolution a*
President HILLMAN: The committee rinn»MiM<li •oncurrenrw with the

What is your pleasure.

Delegate ZORN: What does it mean?

President HILLMAN: It means that tf It Is a $2 Increase for the shop as a
whole. It should not be a $1.60 Increase for the $16 man and $160 for tbe $» BBS*.
That Is the sense of this resolution. As the
now. the workers who received more motjey got a
The resolution roads that Is the sense of this
ofloers and the local officers to co-operate la that
are arranged for they should be given In the
<Appl*u*e.)

Delegate ZORN: I believe that tbe experience In this
question can only bo sol red by having a mini
will be lost Just the same, for the reason thi
care of himself and the km wage man Is always at the
heard of a resolution with roforosjos to a minim on wage. We
setts. There 1* a minimum wage law IB that Stats

President HILLMAN: May I segaost to the
do with the resolution.

Delegate ZORN: I know, but If we adopt the resolstlosx lot »s s4opt It *%ly If

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

it can be carried out. In my own personal experience it did not work. Perhaps in
the future it will work better, but the minimum wage

President HILLMAN: The minimum wage has not been reported on as yet. The
delegate will speak on that when that resolution comes up.

Delegate KROLL, of Local 61: Might I give the brother some information on
that proposition? We received a percentage Increase now in the cutting and trimming
trade. Our Local 61 fcas got that percentage increase and we have figured what
the average wage was, and every man in that cutting and trimming room received
the same amount Our last increase was $3. Everybody in the shop got the same
increase. And to my way of thinking, it is the best system that we could possibly
devise, because after all when there is a flat percentage increase some men get
$4.60 and others get 80 cents. I think, as a labor organization this is the most
vicious system we could inaugurate, because we are building capitalists in our own
ranks. I think: that resolution should be adopted, and we Should make every effort to
put it into effect (Applause.)

Delegate YELLOWITZ: I would like to ask the Chair, first of all, whether this
resolution applies to piece work or to week work.

President HILLMAN: Piece work and week work.

Delegate YDLLOWITZ: Well, this resolution may seem to be very good and
justified. I believe it will be impossible to carry it through, for the simple reason
that our work is sectionalized. You may find two people working side by side at
the same section, one earning, let us say, $20 a week, the next one earning $36,
making the same kind of work. Now, how can you go to work and divide an increase
on an equal basis? This man may leave the shop today and a faster man will come
up tomorrow. How are you going to do it? You will make it so that the slower
man will have to get a higher price than the faster man will get. As far as the week
work system is concerned, it is a very good thing. It can be accomplished. But as
far as the piece work system is concerned, it will make it impossible to accomplish
that. I believe that with regard to the piece system this should be left to the local
unions or to the executive board, so that the lower part should not be discriminated
against as far as an equal division is concerned of increases, which will make it
impossible for one man working at the same part right next to the other man, to earn
$10 and $15 a week more.

Delegate VASTANO: From the experience that I have had In the shop, I am
able to say that every time that there is an increase we are put in the position of
bargaining, as much as we can, for the piece workers. I say that when an increase
comes up, and we place an increase on the basis of 10 per cent, as our brother out-
lined to you, we have very much difficulty in settling a price and satisfying every
one. On the other hand, in some cases we are put in the position of accepting a
certain amount on the garment, and then we are confronted with the proposition
of bargaining with the contractors. I believe the remedy for this evil would be
that each and every one in the industry, regardless of his output, should get the same
amount of Increase. If there is an increase of $1, let each and every one get an
Increase of $1, regardless of whether they are working piece work or week work.

Pelegate JACOBSON: Previous question, Mr. Chairman.

i Delegate I of Rochester: A point of information: I would like to ask

the Chair, since he has had the experience on mediation boards, whether this will
not be used by the manufacturer as a means of lowering the percentage, as heretofore
the higher paid man received a larger amount than $2 or $3, and the consequence
will be

President HILLMAN: Is this a point of information or a speech? Which is it?
I will also take the opportunity to make a speech in answering your point of
Information.

Delegate BECKERMAN: A point of information: Will this establishing equal
increases mean no larger increases for the higher-priced man?

President HILLMAN: The sense of this resolution is that whatever increase
we may be able to receive, and that depends on the strength of the organization,
should be equalized so that the lower-priced man should not be at a disadvantage,
which he always has been. I wish you also to understand that this does not become
part of our constitution. It is an instruction from the convention to the officers to
use their efforts in that direction. It does not become part of the constitution.

Delegate ARNONE: Brother Chairman and Delegates— The committee found
that most of the trouble happens wherever there Is piece work. I remember a case

174

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

•way back la 1912. The nun offered 7 per eeat sacreaae. Now Imagine— the peoato
who made 110 got 70 cents, and those who made $20 » week got $L40. No*
settlement is mad. r everybody to the factory that is all well and food. We

do away wife the percentage to creases to such a way. so that the man receiving the
low wages receives the same Increase as the man receiving the niche
(President HUsmaa put the resolution to a vote aad It waa carried.)

>U ii"\ NO. 36. BY LOCAL 21ft. ON A SCALE OF WAGES.

Whereas, we. the hasters aad tailors of Local lift, affiliated with the New York
Joint Board of n have made every effort to uphold the

It is nevertheless beyond our power to maintain the
Whereas, a minimum scale of wages will relieve ehe serious
paid labor, he It therefore

Resolved. That the Third Convention of the A. C. W. of A. Is hereby
to establish a minimum scale of wages.

LOCAL 21S.
Amalgams ted Clothing Workers of

The committee recommends to refer the same to the General
for investigation and consideration.

President H1LLMAN: The motion is that this matter be referred to the
O. E. B. for Investigation and consideration of the matter. You all heard the
Are you ready for the question?

This resolution was unanimously adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. 20, BY LOCAL 63. NEW YORK. ON THE
OP A DAILY LABOR PAPER IN ITALIAN.

Whereas, our fellow workers of Italian origin have now reached a stafu of
industrial organization that has made them a strong **d riniptiHii factor In the
labor movement of this country; and

Whereas. In order to better carry on their propaganda among the two DitllteE
working men and working women who speak the Italian language aad are still
unorganised, and. therefore, a great menace to the welfare and future of the
masses, they are now about to start a dally paper which shall be the
mouthpiece of the hopes and aspirations of the working class and shall
ultimate emancipation from wage slavery;

Be It. Therefore. Resolved. That the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
in convention assembled, hereby endorses this Initiative of our Italian workers
pledges its moral and material support to the establishment of such a
and calls upon all labor organizations to do likewise,

P. ARNONE.

'A,

O. VA8TANO.
D. Dl NARDO.
Italian Ttalantlon of New York.

The committee recommends that the resolution be

President HILLMAN: You have heard the ••••lilliii of the

Committee. Are you ready for the question?
This resolution was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 50. ON POLITICAL ACTION. BY LOCAL O. NEW YORK

Whereas, it Is a proven tact that political power when to the bands of the
class Is a strong weapon to the struggle against capitalism, and

Whereas, Socialist victories at the polls have given new courage aad
to the working class for Socialism, be It

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Resolved, That this convention urge Its local unions throughout the country to
work, support and vote for the candidates of the Socialist party in the coming State
and Congressional elections. r

LOCAL 63, A. C. W. OF A.
Paul Arnone,
B. Romano,
O. Vaatano,
A. Bellanca,
D. Dl Nardo.
"*Mf*-%» +**&*^^^-Jt nMt&£ypfUi&

The committee recommends concurrence in this resolution and moves its adoption.
This resolution was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 46, ON MOONEY AND BILLINGS, BY LOCALS 142 AND 161.

Whereas, there are two labor leaders in San Francisco in jail, Thomas Mooney,
sentenced to die, and Warren K. Hillings, sentenced to life imprisonment, for crimes
they never committed, and

Whereas, it will be one of the greatest blows to organized labor in America if
both these sentences should be carried out, and

Whereas, such an act of injustice has already been committed by hanging four
labor leaders in Chicago many years ago, therefore be it

Resolved, That this convention ask for a new trial for Mooney and Billings, so
that they may have a chance to prove their innocence.

H. TAYLOR, LOCAL 142.
B. INDYKE, LOCAL Kl

Committee recommends its adoption, and that telegrams be sent to President
Wilson, the Governor of California, Tom Mooney and Warren K. Billings.

President HILLMAN: You heard the recommendation of the Committee and the
motion for its adoption. Are you ready for the question?

Secretary SCHLOSSBERG: Mr. Chairman and Delegates — The remarks I want
to make now are not so much for the purpose of informing those who are here — I
know that you are all familiar with the Mooney case — but for the purpose of having
this go on our record, so that if any one should have occasion to run across it in the
future, let him know our true feelings in the matter. The Mooney case is different
from all other such cases in at least this one respect. There have been many cases
that are usually called labor cases — charges against representatives of the labor
movement, and attempts by the representatives of capitalism, either to imprison
them for a long time or to bring them on the gallows. But this is the first time
where the innocence of the people involved has been proven so conclusively, and
the attempt of the conspirators to secure their conviction by all possible means, not
stopping at perjury or anything else, has likewise been proven so conclusively that
we have prominent men in this country, not connected with the labor movement,
raising their voices in behalf of these people. And we have this peculiar situation:
The President of the United States intercedes in behalf of Mooney, sends a telegram
to the California Governor, urging a new trial for him, and lends his support — the
full support of his great prestige — to a committee that has made a special investiga-
tion upon his order, and that committee's report shows that there was a foul
conspiracy carried out against Mooney and his colleagues. And we have, on the other
hand, that disgraceful spectacle of fourteen official representatives of organized labor
In that very city publicly and officially giving their support to Prosecuting Attorney
Fickert in a campaign for his recall. It was with the support of these traitors to
organized labor that Fickert won out in the recall election at the time that Mooney
and the others are struggling for their lives. We (have the shameful demonstration
of the helplessness of the labor movement in this country, that when the President
of the United States raises his voice and he says that "Mooney is innocent, and I
lend the power of my prestige to ask for him a new trial so that he may go free
because of his Innocence," official representatives of the labor movement call upon
the workingmen In that very city to stand by the man who was battling to bring
them on the gallows and they won out. It is not only a case where we have to stand
by men and women of our own class — to stand by them and defend them against any
attempt that might be made upon their liberties or their lives, but it is a case where
we have to make the demonstration as great, as strong, as powerful, as impressive as
possible, so that those traitors may be held up to the condemnation of the working

176

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

class and that the liberation of Moo 0*7 should not to only the liberation of ihat one
human being and the others who are with him la jail la San FrancUco. but that It

should at the same time also to a vindication of the intelligence of the workings clans,
repudiating the traitors, and holding them up to the condemnation and ridicule of the
working claas of today and of the working class that is to come. And let this Union
stratlon also to one of the great factors which will, in tto very near future, acsjsm
the emancipation of the American labor movement from all the traitors, from all
the enemies within who are now holding the labor movement under their
(Great applause.)

President H1LLMAN: Are there any further remarks? Ton heard the r
mendation of the committee.

This recommendation was unanimously carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 15. ON NEEDLE TRADES DEPARTMENT. BY LOCAL tt

Be It resolved that this convention orders the
to initiate a movement to form a needle trades) department in the

•:»at the International Ladles' Garment Workers' Union, the Journeymen Tailors'
Union, the Cap Makers' Union and the Furriers' International Union to Invited to
co-operate.

It is the experience of every organiser when to goes for organisation work In
cities where there Is no organisation, that lack of co-operation, on tto part of tto
above-mentioned International Unions, makes It much more difficult to bring the
tailors Into the union; therefore, if a needle trade department would to sstshllsnsd
not only would we have a 100 per cent organization, but we would get better results,
and by doing so we would establish one big Industrial union in the garment Industry
•ie United States and Canada.

PAUL ARNONE.
R ROMANO.

F. BBLLANCA.

G. VASTANO.
D. DI NARDO.

The committee recommends that this matter to referred to the Incoming O. EL &

plause.)

Delegate RIGER: Brother Chairman and Delegates— I believe that a resolution of
such great Importance should to accepted by the convention without referring
the General Executive Board. Even if this resolution Is never to to put In practice,
let the outside world know that the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America
believes in industrial unionism, and Is ready to practice It

Delegate RABINOWITZ: If this resolution la adopted here, will that mean It
Is adopted In principle and sent to the General Executive Board for action?

President HILLMAN: The resolution, aa it reads, mentions tto names of the
organizations which are connected with the American Federation of Labor. The
recommendation Is that this whole matter to referred to the General Exec
Board. I wish to say for the benefit of Che delegates that we have time and
gone on record In favor of a needle trades organisation. Not only that, wo
made an attempt in that direction which, unfortunately, failed.

The committee recommends that this matter to referred to the
Executive Board. Any further remarks?

Delegate RABINOWITZ: I move to amend that we adopt tto
principle and refer It to the General Executive Board for action.

This was seconded.

amendment is more satisfactory than the actual recommendation of the inmmlUss

Of course, it takes more than one party to strike a bargain- Whst I mean to say i
that this convention should go on record as favoring a needle trade organisation. I
believe that that In itself will create somewhat of a sentiment and the ••sttmsni may
develop Into something concrete. The tact la. that tto only thing that Interferes with
a proposition of this kind is something that is entirely artificial, and that Is the tact
that those organizations sre affiliated with the A. F .of U But I believe it m
advisable for this convention to go on record favoring this At least lot me
something. Let us initiate this. For this reason I support the

177

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

go on record favoring the idea and leave it to the G. B. B, if they see any possible
way of carrying the thing through. (Applause.)

Delegate GOODMAN, of Local No. 2: I am in favor of It.

Delegate ARNONE: I want to inform you that the Resolutions Committee favors
the proposition in principle, and the reason why we refer it to the Gen utive

Board is that we believed that some time in the near future the other organizations
may also take up this matter. This is the opinion of the committee. And I don't
see the necessity of the amendment at all. The moment you endorse the resolution
iidorse the principle of one industrial union in the needle industry. That is the
war I understand it

President HILLMAN: We have already endorsed the needle trades' organization
time and again. The resolution itself would not carry the meaning that we reaffirm
it at this convention. The amendment reaffirms and instructs the G. E. B. to act
accordingly.

The amendment was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 55, ON INTRODUCTION OF MACHINERY, BY LOCAL 3, NEW

Whereas, new machinery is being introduced in our Industry more rapidly now
than ever before, and

Whereas, the introduction of this new machinery id increasing the unemployment
among our members, thereby causing severe suffering to them and also to our
organization, therefore be it

Resolved, That this Third Biennial Convention goes on record in favor of reducing
the hours of labor in proportion with the introduction of such new machinery. If
the Introduction of this new machinery will only apply to one particular branch of
the trade the hours of labor for that particular branch of the trade should be reduced
proportionately, thereby safeguarding our members from lack of work.

LOCAL 3, A. C. W. OF A.

Alex Cohen,
S. Weinstein,
M. Goldstein,
C. Revayel,
L. Necrenburg.

(This was received with great applause.)

Delegate GOODMAN: Brother President, may I make a correction. We have
Introduced a resolution calling for a forty-four-hour week, which was brought in from
Local 2, and the committee has not reported on that.
President HILLMAN: You may get it later.

Delegate REVAYEL: Do I understand that the committee recommends that the
hours should be reduced to 44 hours for the machinery workers as well?
Chairman of Committee: Yes.

Delegate REVAYEL: Brother President and Delegates: I am in full accord that
the reduction of hours is a desirable thing, but the question of machinery is a different
proposition entirely. As you all know, there is a pressing machine by which one man
does the work of four. There is a cutting machine whereby1 three or four cutters
are replaced by one. There is also a basting machine that takes away work from four
Now, if this would be a question of only the reduction of four hours I don't think
this would solve the problem. Therefore I appeal to the delegates that this

of machinery be taken separately. (Applause.)
Delegate FRIEDMAN: I am asked by the delegates of the cutters to explain to
this convention why the cutters did not put in resolutions for the 44 hour week.

President HILLMAN: That is not the subject for discussion at this time.
(Laughter.) Are you for or against this resolution?

Delegate FRIEDMAN: We are in favor of this resolution.

Delegate RABINOWITZ, of Local 144: I am in favor of the resolution as read that
the 44 hour week be accepted. If it is a question of machinery, I fortunately or unfor-
tunately happen to be a machine presser myself, and I know from experience with the
pressers that although we have a 48 hour week, we have never worked 48 hours BO far.
We always work less than that. I believe that this organization should see to it that
the people in the trade make a living. I believe that this resolution should be adopted
without making any distinction whether it is pressers, cutters or others.

178

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Delegate BBCKERMAN* i cannot understand the logic of any deieciie who tries
to separate the reduction of hoars and says that the introduction of machinery Is a
different question. iulte agree with any delegate that if setae machine was

introduced that makes it possible to do the work four limes as fast, that If you oouid
possibly do It. reduce the hour, to one^uarter and establish the 11 hour week and
keep up with It (laughter and applau**) But unfortunately it Is not quite ss easy to
Cet It as It Is to say It on the floor. And that Is the only reason why I disagree
the delegates who believe that machinery Is a different proposition. In fact we have
not an yet Kot cut, 44 hour »~k Ana i brllevc it »a» made very pl»m by ih*

that before you can get the 44 hours you have got to work up an education Cor U. Yo»
have got to prepare the minds of the members and of the public and then pr

thi rmfnds1 of PthTmanufacturer». 1 believe if this convention goes on record for the
••ek we are making aplsodid progress. Let us try to

there is a possibility of putting them Into affect, and not merely pass resolutions for

the pleasure of patting resolution!. 1 say that the 44 hour week It a goal for which
we ought to work, and 1 think that when we reach the convention two years ~
now we will have the 44 hour week In our trade. (Applause.)

Delegate NEWMAN of Local No. 40: 1 would like to address the convention in
Yiddish.

President HI LI-MAN 1 am sorry, but it against the rules, you will have to
apeak In English.

'legate Newman expreased himself In favor of considering this machinery
proposition separately.)

President mi.UMAN: Even if you have not convinced me on that question, yen
have convinced me that you can express yourself In English.

Delegate IS- We took into consideration the fact that If we shorten the

hours that would mean more employment for other people. The less hours we
the more work there will be for the people. Our organisation Is In favor of
Give us all the machinery that Is possible and we are going to shorten our
(Applause,)

Delegate WISE: Mr. Chairman and Brothers— A brother who works on the
ne says he Is fortunately or unfortunately a presser. and he has not felt that
the machine has done us any harm.

1LLMAN Let me explain to you what he said. Us said that since
he has been working on the machine he never worked forty-eight hours In a weak;
that he Is working thirty hours, but the price is fixed so that he makes In thirty
hours what he would have otherwise made In 48 hours.

Delegate WISE: I am coming to that. 1 understand that. He said that he never
works 48 hours and Is making a nice living by the machine in 30. and he did not
feel any harm from the machine. But I say it Is very unfortunate for the fioalt who
are kept out of a job by the machine, even If he works only 30 hours. You have three
pressers put out of work, as the machine does the work of four men. We nave many
people who are starving on account of the machine. And I say we ought to accept
that resolution separately and see what we can do with that particular branch of the
machinery- We have machines that are throwing out of work three-quarters of the
pressers. For that reason, i say, we ought to accept that resolution separately.

Delegate DE LUC A: 1 believe that the question of the machine is not put in a
proper light by the resolution. Reducing the hours where machines are
places of the men. and especially on the pressing machines. I think should be
as a separate question. 1 am in favor of the resolution as brought in.

Delegate WBIN8TB1N: We hare here two resol
ence to the 44 hour week and the other is the machl
a separate question. The 44 hour week is a good tiling
for the workingmen. In the uniform shops we have five L

a day. which Is enough -0 pressers. That Is a separate" ^

move to amend that this question should be put separately, the 44 hours separate and
the machinery separate.

President IULLMAN: If there Is no objection, we wfll simply take out that

Particular resolution which has bean given la by the pressers of Local S. We wfll

?nn lxe 2lher r**01111101* ^ connection with the 44 hour week. I will send

resolution back to the committee on resolutions to
that.

179

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA
Resolutions on the 44 Hour Week.

The following are the resolutions submitted by the various delegations on the 44
hour week:

RESOLUTION NO. 35, BY LOCAL. 2, NEW YORK.

Whereas, this new machinery and new speeding up methods of production

unemployment, be it

Resolved, that this convention goes on record to start a campaign for the establish-
of a forty-four hour working week.

BASTERS' AND TAILORS' BRANCH, LOCAL 2.
Joe Goodman, Chairman,
Harry Schypps, Secretary.

RESOLUTION NO. 1, BY LOCAL 51, BALTIMORE, MD.

Whereas, the 44-hour week has already been established in one part of the country
by our organization, and whereas new development in machinery and new system of
production shorten the season in the industry and speed up the wage workers In the
shop; be it

Resolved, that this convention goes on record to begin a general agitation and
legislate a 44-hour week for the clothing workers In the United States and Canada.

PH. DE LUCA,

U. DE DOMINICIS.

RESOLUTION NO. 18, BY THE JOINT BOARD OF THE CHILDREN'S CLOTHING
TRADES, NEW YORK.

Whereas, the conditions in the children's clothing trades have reached a point
where, in order to safeguard the health of the workers, it is most essential to shorten
the working hours; and

Whereas, the system of the so-called "section-work" has developed to such an
extent that the worker is compelled to keep pace with a breakneck speed; and

Whereas, the worker must bend all the energy within him to keep up this
impossible pace thus undermining his health; and

Whereas, a statistical investigation plainly proves that a large number of our
members are afflicted with tuberculosis, the dread disease which is caused by this
Inhuman overwork; be it, therefore,

Resolved, that a shorter workday be established and that 44 hours constitute a
working week.

JOINT BOARD OF THE CHILDREN'S CLOTHING TRADES, NEW YORK.
RESOLUTION NO. 4, BY LOCALS 16, 186 AND 262, NEW YORK CITY.

Whereas, the introduction of new machinery in the clothing industry is being
made very rapidly, and

Whereas, through the introduction of this machinery an artificial unemployment
of our members and the workers in the industry is being created, be it

Resolved, that this convention goes on record to work for the establishment of a
44-hour week and instruct the General Executive Board to bring same into life by
presenting this demand to all the clothing centers in the Industry.

DELEGATES OF LOCALS 16, 186 AND 262, VEST MAKERS'
UNION OF GREATER NEW YORK.

RESOLUTION NO. 6. BY LOCAL 63, NEW YORK.

Be it resolved that this convention goes on record in favor of establishing
44 hours a week work in the clothing industry, and that a general agitation be started
at once throughout the country.

DELEGATES OF LOCAL 63, NEW YORK CITY.
180 •

reason that we want to reduce the boors to 44 a week in order
employed, not so much because we want to shorten the hours of
• more time to go around Idle, but 1 claim that under the ssotloi
he new machinery, the worker most speed up in order to keep
vorkers alongside of him working at a high speed That must

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

In place of all resolutions bearing on the
the following:

"Be it resolved that this convention
week and that the General Executive Board start an

Delegate MARC< • 1 favor the reoommeiulsMoa of the

not so much for the reason that we want to reduce the hours to 44 a week to
to have more people
labor in order to have
system today, with the
up with his fellow workers

affect the health of the workers. At the convention la Rooaseter we adopted the 48-
hour week. We were not convinced then as we are today that we could put It Into
effect Today we are more oonfldent. Every one of us la oomfldent that at the next
convention we will be able to report that the 44 hour week Is an establishes
1 hope that the General Executive Board will do all that is possible to bring about the
44 hour week in our industry.

Delegate LEV1NE of Rochester: It seems to me that we should adopt the
recommendation of the committee, and. as I understand the dslsgsts from Local No. 8—

President HILLMAN: Pardon me, that resolution has been withdrawn. The
machinery question will be handled separately, in order to prevent confusion. Aa
1 understand it. Local No. 8 brought in a separate request to the convention. Now let
us judge It on Its merits and not connect It with any other proportion. We are only
discussing the 44-hour week question now.

All resolutions were then unanimously adopted.

Delegate GOODMAN: 1 recommend that the 44-hour week apply to oar officers
also (laughter and applause).

President HILLMAN: A day or a week?

Delegate GOODMAN: The question is whether they work by machine.

President HILLMAN: That the delegates of the convention will have aa oppor-
tunity to find out before they get through.

1 wish to say to you delegates that this resolution now passed has m

than resolutions as we passed them at our previous conventions. When 1

the vote saying that ayes seemed to have it and so ordered. I felt that this

has more to say whether the 44-hour week will be enforced than any element

I want to bring that home to you so that you may realise the great possibility. I

to bring that home to you so that you may realise the great responsibility I

bring to you the same warning that Delegate Beckerman brought We have

stag* where we are simply passing resolutions of what we would like to have. The

resolutions we are passing at our conventions today are what we must and can have.

I would like the delegates in their further deliberations not to pass resolutions that

will convey the Impression that we never intended to have them put into effect. I

do hope that when we convene at our next convention, your officer

or the other officers elected, will be in a position to report to you the

board reported to you today, "you have given us a command to bring the

and it is now an accomplished fact." 1 hope that we will be able to say likewise two

years from now. 'The 44-hour week as ordered by the convention In the city of

Baltimore has been enforced." (Applause.)

RESOLUTION NO. 56. ON THE USB OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES AT CONVENTION.
BY LOCAL 8. NEW YORK CI

Whereas, our organisation Is composed of members of
Whereas, delegates attending our convention are not always able to express their
thoughts otherwise than in their own tongue, and

Whereas, this hinders many active and experienced men from iisUlrjpsjttM la
the deliberations of the convention and giving us the benefit of their
therefore be It

Resolved, that the delegates should have the right to
their tongue and same should be interpreted to the delegates of the

LOCAL 3. A C W. OP A-
Alex Cohen, 8. Weinsteln. M. Goldln. U Revayel. U Neeremberg

Is non -concurrence,
accepted.
(After a few announcements were made the meeting was adjourned at C:fcS p m.)

181

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Sixth Session

Thursday, May 16, 1918.

The convention waa called to order at 9:30 a. m. Chairman Hillman presiding.
Secretary Schlossberg read the following communications to the convention.

Boston, Mass., May 16, 1918.

Congratulations. Tailors strengthening American labor movement through efforts
of Amalgamated. Long may it live.

ORGE ROEWER, JR.

New York, N. Y., May 16, 1918.

the employees of Plumack's Shop, 7 Chatham Square, New York City, greet
you the Third Biennial Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,
and hope for a unanimous vote in favor of the forty-four-hour week.

L. OAKLANDER, Chairman Plumack's Shop.

Boston, Mass., May 15, 1918.

The members of Local 25, A. C. W. of A., of Boston, send fraternal greetings and
hope convention will result in much good to all members.

H. W. EISBERG, Secretary.

Worcester, Mass., May 16, 1918.

.irticst congratulations and best wishes for success from Local 174, Worcester.
Individual and collective thanks to L. Marcovitz for his splendid work for Worcester
Pants Makers.

SAMUEL GOULD, Business Agent.

REPORT OF ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE

By Delegate Alex Cohen

RESOLUTION NO. 60, ON ORGANIZERS FOR PANTS INDUSTRY, BY NEW YORK
PANTSMAKERS* DELEGATION.

Whereas, the pants trade at the present time is scattered in various parts of the
country, and

Whereas, this branch of our industry is in certain respects different from other
branches of the clothing industry, and

Whereas, we are striving to maintain the present standards and conditions prevail-
ing in the City of New York, and

Whereas, new pants factories are constantly springing up in various country
towns where the working conditions are most miserable, and

Whereas, the workers in those places are at the mercy of the clothing manu-
facturers who exploit those poor slaves, men and women, be it, therefore,

Resolved, that the incoming General Executive Board stands instructed by the
Third Biennial Convention, assembled in the City of Baltimore, to appoint not 'ess
than two special organizers for the purpose of organizing the pants industry all over
the country.

PANTSMAKERS' DELEGATION OF GRK KW YORK.

A. Miller, H. Goldoft, D. Nlrenberg, D. Weiss, N. Sussnick, L. Shapiro, J. Yelo-
witz, D. Isaacs, H. Rubin, B. Weiss, H. Novodvor, J. Newman, Lorenzo De
Maria, Thomas Frisa, M. Mascalo.

The committee has considered the resolution and we recommend this favorably
to the General Executive Board. (Applause.)

182

BALTIMORE CONVENT

President HILLMAN: The recommendation of the committee la reference to the
General Executive Board to put it into env

RESOLUTION NO. 64 ITERS* ORGANIZERS. BY CUTTERS' DELEGATION.

there are many cutters throughout the
ch as Chicago, Roeheat. rmati. Baltimore,

and several other cities, who are still unorganised, and whose wages are to low that
there U danger that they may undermine the conditions of our members, be It

Reaolved. that the General Executive Board is hereby authorized and Instructed
to put on sufficient cutters' organisers to remedy this erU.

Ileckerman. Loca Friedman. Local 4; Meyer Senter. Local 4

Jacobaon. Local 4; Abe Sllverman. Local 9; Louis Fein berg. Local t; Jack
Kroll. Local 61; 8. Geler, Local 61; Frank Patrick. Local 61; A. Walla. Local
116; A. Feldman. Loca

The committee recommends reference to the G. B. B. with the
that the Board should not confine itself to cutters. The beat men available should be
appointed

President HILLMAN: The recommendation of the committee Is that this matter
be referred to the incoming G. E. B. for action. You have all heard the motion.
Are you ready for the question?

The recommendation of the committee was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO 67. ON ORGANIZATION OP PALM BEACH WORKERS. BY
LOCAL 167, BROOKLYN, M

We, the Palm Beach Workers, of Local 167, affiliated with the New York Joint
Board, request the Third Biennial Convention to organise the
throughout the country- Our desire to be organise)
"Garment Workers." Our dreams were realised only
born. It was the New York Joint Board who organised us.
dition*. established an eight hour day Instead of ten and eleven hours a

a are not secure if the rest of the workers in our
ised. With machinery daily Introduced in our trade, which
skillful and tends to bring In those elements which undermine the riomjllsoisi of the
organised shops snd threaten our very existence, be It, therefore,

Reaolved. that we ask the delegates to the Third Biennial Convention to give
the matter of the Palm Beach Workers earnest and proper consideration.

MORRIS GENUD.

EMMA SCHAPIRO, Local 167

The committee recommends reference to the G. E. B.
Delegate SHAPIRO: I would like to speak In Yiddish.
President HILLA! I am sorry we can not do that: It

the rules of the organisation.

la there any objection to the recommendation of the committee?
There was none and the resolution was unanim

RESOLUTION NO. 63. ON POLISH ORGANIZER, BY LOCAL 69. BALTIMORE

Whereas, a great number of Polish workers In the clothing Industry are unor-
ganized, and

Whereas, organised Polish clothing workers in the Amalgamated wish to hear
from time to time about our organisation, therefore be it

Resolved, that the General Executive Board put In the field a Polish General
Organiser with Instructions to visit every Polish center In the clothing tismHii of the

-d States and Canada.

F. J. BARTOSZ. Delegate Local ft.

The committee recommends concurrence.

President HILLMAN: The committee rinomssHlml ecsseanasui with the

The resolution was unanimously carried.

Itt

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

RESOLUTION NO. 62. ON BOHEMIAN ORGANIZER, BY LOCAL 230, BALTIMORE.

Whereas, a great number of Bohemian workers are unorganized, and
Whereas, organized Bohemian workers in the Amalgamated wish to hear from
time, to time about our organization, therefore be it

Resolved, that the General Executive Board put in the field a Bohemian organizer
instructions to visit every Bohemian center in the clothing industry of the United
States and Canada.

JOHN DRASAL, Local 230.

The committee recommends concurrence with this resolution.
President HILLMAN: Delegates, you see the committee is very liberal. After we
get through I believe we will need about one hundred and fifty more organizers.
The committee recommends concurrence.
The resolution was unanimously adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. 61, ON ORGANIZATION OF THE CLOTHING WORKERS OF
CHICAGO, BY CHICAGO JOINT BOARD.

Whereas, the Chicago Clothing Workers, notwithstanding the memorable strikes
of 1916 and 1916, are only partly organized, and

Whereas, the clothing manufacturers of Chicago, the worst enemies of organized
labor in our industry, through their association are still able to retain their auto-
the lives of tens of thousands of our fellow workers, which consti-
tutes a stumbling block for the advancement of our organization not only In Chicago
but elsewhere, and

Whereas, the Chicago Joint Board, conscious of its responsibility and duty,
has determined to put an end to such a state of affairs, and is now conducting an
intensive campaign for organization, and

Whereas, because it is a known fact that the manufacturers of Chicago are not
going to yield easily, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Third Biennial Convention of the A. C. W. of A. hereby
instructs the general officers to do all in their power to assist the Chicago Joint
Board until the City of Chicago, the second largest clothing center in the United States
and Canada, is completely organized.

CHICAGO JOINT BOARD, A. C. W. OF A.
Hyman Isovitz,
Samuel Geier.

The committee recommends concurrence.

The resolution was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 2, ON ORGANIZATION WORK IN ROCHESTER, BY LOCAL 14.

Whereas, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America was confronted
with a serious problem, endangering the grand achievements which It has won for its
members in all the clothing centers of America, because of the lack of organization in
the great clothing center of Rochester, N. Y., and

Whereas, the clothing manufacturers throughout the country have used Rochester,
while unorganized, as a means to force lower standards of life on our brothers else-
where, and

Whereas, the clothing workers of Rochester are beginning to realize this fact,
are awakening to organization activity and are determined to build up a powerful
organization which will bring the twelve thousand clothing workers into the ranks of
OUR GREAT AMALGAMATED, be it, therefore,

Resolved, that the Third Biennial Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers of America instructs the General Executive Board to give all possible assist-
ance to the organization work in Rochester in order to freo the men and women
employed in the Rochester clothing industry from physical and moral enslavement
due to the accursed "Benevolent System" which the Rochester clothing manufacturers
are imposing upon their workers.

JACOB J. LEVINE, Member Local 14.

The committee wishes to recommend the following in place of the resolution
just read.

184

BALTIMORE CONVENTION
RESOLUTION NO. tt.

Where*., the AmalgMitad CleXhing Worker* of America through lu past
•- baa proven to the Clothing Workers of America what it U willing to do la
order to improve working condition*.

Whereat, lu power* will be limited in proportion to the cities that

Whereas, the fact that clothing workers IB the City of Rochester are

not onlr suffering for them but Is slso a constant menace to the (rand achieve-
through hard and bitter struggles by the tens of thousands of ow meabsffl

Resolved, that the Third Biennial Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers of America decides to urgently call upon the clothing workers of

-pond to the call of our organization with all the
is left In them from the accursed "Welfare System" that
have Inflicted upon the twelve thousand men and women of that «

Be It Further Resolved, that the O. B. B. stands Instructed to look after the
Of the Rochester clothing workers and Is authorised to take any and all steps that
they will deem necessary for the purpose of bringing the clothing Industry of the
• f Rochester under the banner of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,
and

Be It Further Resolved, that the Third Biennial Convention of the
ag Workers of America, assembled on May IS. 1*1 s. In Baltimore. Md..

its full moral and financial support to the men and women employed la the
Industry of Rochester. n the struggle for a better and nobler life that

only be accomplished through organization.

President HILLMAN: You have heard the committee's report. The
reports a substitute resolution.

Delegate LEVINE of Rochester: Brother Chairman and fellow delegates i
have no objection to the substitute. What 1 would like to call the attention of the
delegates to is that the resolution does not consider that this is a question coaoeralag
not only Rochester clothing workers. If this resolution Is adopted I would like to
call your attention to the fact that It concerns every organized clothing center la the
J States and Canada. The clothing workers of Rochester are the lowest paid. I
believe, although they are making the finest clothing, and the manufacturers are
beginning to use Rochester to undermine conditions elsewhere. There is also the
possibility, if Rochester should remain unorganised, that in the near future
will be affected. To do justice to the General Officers. I wish to state that in
past four years the general office has done everything in every way
organize Rochester. But the very fact that they did not succeed In
powerful organization in Rochester proves that what has been done
Perhaps some may say it is the fault of the Rochester tailors. I am not
discuss as to who Is to be blamed. The causes should have been considered
ai the present day Rochester clothing workers are awakening to these facts
are determined to build up an organization. The propaganda work which has
going on in the last four years has not been wasted. With the aid of our
organizer the most conservative and reactionary people are awakening today
coming Into the organization. I hope and trust that the General Executive Board
will do all In Its power to maintain the tradition of carrying out this resolution.

The resolution was carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 9. ON ABOLITION OP TENEMENT HOUSE WORK. BY LOCAL
«3, NEW YORK

Resolved, that this convention instructs the Joint Boards and District CovacOa
that in the future, when settlements are made with manufacturers, they should Insist
that tenement house work should be completely abolished.

The committee recommends concurrence with this resolution. (Applause )
Delegate ARNONE: I wish to"state that In the question of tenement 1
the Amalgamated is about two thousand miles behind. I say that this
once and for all should make It their business to make the
that tenement bouse work belongs to the Middle Ages. la a city like New
or a city like Philadelphia, while many tailors may be walking the streets there Is
plenty of work for the tenement houses. Now. I say if our organization would put

1S5

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

a stop to it we would establish a condition where the unemployed tailors In the
city could get work. I say that from now on when any settk-nu nt is to be made the
manufacturers should be made to know that there Is no more tenement house work
to be done. I appeared In Albany before a special committee of the legislature. The
politicians there told me that "We know why you don't want the tenement house
work, it is because you want the men to get all the work." They don't realize that
we are looking after the sanitary control of the garment industry.

The Amalgamated has done a lot for the Italian workers. If the Amalgamated
will put a stop to the tenement house work it will remove the worst sort of exploitation.
(Applause.)

Delegate EISEN: Brother Chairman and Delegates — I am not against this reso-
lution, but I would like the delegates not to be under a wrong impression that the
Amalgamated had not done anything to abolish the tenement house work.

President HILLMAN. Delegate, you are speaking to representatives of the
Amalgamated. They know exactly what is going on.

Delegate EISEN: I feel, though, that this is an unjust indictment against the
Joint Boards and District Councils. I feel that in Baltimore the District Council has
succeeded in abolishing at least 75 percent of this tenement house work.

Brother CO! roth or President, I wish to say that the impression made by

Brother Arnone in order to be emphatic and to impress upon you the importance of
this resolution was not the right one. Brother Arnone, having been long with the
organization, knows that it was due to conditions prevailing in the City of New York
that tenement house work was not abolished. It was not in any way due to the
unwillingness on the part of any man in the Joint Board or the Joint Board as a
whole. If I remember correctly. Brother Arnone was the head of a committee to
work for the abolition of tenement house work and that might have been the reason
It was not abolished. (Interrupted by laughter and applause.) But as far as the
resolution is concerned, there is no doubt that we want the resolution adopted. We
all wish to see tenement house work abolished.

The resolution was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 48, ON WASHABLE SAILOR SUIT MAKERS, BY LOCAL 169.

Whereas, a great part of the Washable Sailor Suit Trade is unorganized, and
Whereas, many attempts were made to unionize these shops, and
Whereas, thus far all attempts were unsuccessful, be it therefore
Resolved, that this convention endorse a general strike in the Boys' Washable
Sailor Suit Trade in New York City and give it moral and financial support.

LOCAL 169, A. C. W. OF A.

Inasmuch as Local 169 is a part of the Children's Clothing Joint Board of New
York, we recommend that this resolution be referred to the Children's Clothing Joint
Board of New York to act in co-operation, with the general office.

President HILLMAN: You heard the recommendation of the committee. The
recommendation is that it be referred to the Children's Clothing Joint Board and they
should receive the co-operation of the incoming G. E. B.

The recommendation of the committee was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 22, ON ORGANIZING THE OVERALL WORKERS, BY BOSTON
DELEGATION.

Whereas, the overall manufacturing industry in the United States and Canada
is practically unorganized, and

Whereas, the working conditions and wages in this large industry are far belcrw
the normal standards, and

Whereas, the overall workers are desirous of organizing under the banner of
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, be it, therefore,

Resolved, that the General Executive Board be and is hereby instructed and
authorized to appoint general organizers for the overall workers of the entire country
at the earliest possible opportunity.

(Signed): L. Marcovitz. S. Zorn, L. Lebovitz, J. Blame. F. Lerman, N. Blller,
J. Palaimo, J. Penninl, T. Morelli, H E. Sher, D. Oilman.

186

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

We have discussed this resolution la connection with. Resolution No. 19 and
read to yon now Resolution No. It.

LUT10N NO. it. ON ORGANIZATION OF OVERALL WORKERS. BY LOCAL
17, NEW Y01

The blowing resolution waa paaied at a ipecUU meetinf held on April t. l»li. at
M Orchard Street. New York <

Whereas, It U essential for the A. C. W. of A. that every branch of the men's
POMIM laiMtn itosjld t-.- orjajtiati, .u,,«

Whereas, there are thousands of uuorgsnlied men
the overall makini industry In the United Stales tolling under

Whereas, the unorganised overall workers being underpaid and
hours are detrimental to the Interests of the overall workers organised
banner of the of A .. therefore be It

Resolved, by the Third Biennial Convention of the A. C. W of A., com
ilthnore, Md . that the Incoming General Executive Board he Instructed to
gnrate an organization campaign among the unorganised overall workers of the
and be It further

Resolved, that the New York schedule of prices is to be consulted when making
price lists on overalls.

(Seal)

MORRIS DUBINBKY. President
KRON. Secretary.
i»elegate.

The Committee recommended concurrence to cover also Resolittosj zf.

RESOLUTION NO. 95. ON RUSSIAN ORGANIZER. BY LOCAL M.

there are between two and three thousand Russian worker* la the
ranks of the Children's Clothing Trades, and many thousands more throughout the
country in our industry, and

Whereas, these members are greatly handicapped In their union activities by
the fact that even our constitution in the membership books is not printed In their
own language, be it

Resolved, thst the General Office publish a weekly journal in the ItOMJiii language
and also print due books in the Russian language, and be it further

Resolved, that in order to hold the Interest of »h« Russian workers la our
organization a Russian organizer be appointed for that purpose.

JlUUS POWERS. Local M.

We recommend that the constitution be printed in the Russian language and that
If possible a Russian organizer be appointed. The matter of publishing a paper we
recommend to refer to the General Executive Board.

President HILLMAN You heard the committee's recommendation i wish to
state to those delegates who are directly interested In this not to be under the ftmproe-
slon that these resolutions will automatically send in organizers. It is a very hard
task to find proper and suitable organisers.

The report of the committee waa unanimously adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. 38. ON ORGANIZER FOR CLOTHING CLERKS' UNION. BY
LOCAL 168.

Whereas, the members of the Wholesale Clothing Clerks* Union know what
of organization meant for them in the past, and

Whereas, the members of our Union are now ready and willing to revolt
conditions that are Intolerable for ealighfoaed human beings.

We now call upon this convention to assist us in building up a
to combat the evils of our trade, so that in the future we will be in a podttom to

help ourselves, but also help any part of our organization that may ask for omr
support In the struggle against their exploiters.

(Signed) HARRY W. GREBNBBsU

The committee recommend this to the General Executive Board for

1§7

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

President HILLMAN: The recommendation is that this matter be referred to
the General Executive Board.

Delegate GREENBERG: Brother Chairman and delegates: This question has
arisen several times before the General Executive Board. The resolution brought
before the delegates at this session was that we have no paid official or organizer to
conduct a campaign in the clothing industry, which involves from two to three thou-
sand clerks. Out of those two or three thousand clerks we have about three hundred
and fifty members in our organization. There are no paid officials to go out agitating
in the various clothing houses to induce the men to join our organization. We, there-
sent in this resolution so that the General Executive Board shall be able
to put in an organiser, one of the members or a delegate from our organization, to
organise the entire industry of the wholesale clothing clerks in New York. There
is no other city that has clothing clerks organized as the New York clerks have
attempted. About ten years ago we attempted the same thing, but met with a
failure. Today we are proud to say that we have been successfully conducting a very
wonderful campaign in the trade. Only last week, according to yesterday's issue
of the "Call," I have noticed a strike has been called in New York for an increase In
wages and a forty-eight hour week, which strike was won within forty-eight hours'
time It is important that the Wholesale Clothing Clerks' Union keep up their good
work and that the officials of the organization see to it that a delegate be elected and
paid by the general office, if not fully, partly.

The recommendation of the committee was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 68, ON ONE LOCAL IN KYKKY ( 1TY. BY LOCAL 69 BALTIMORE.

Whereas, we must admit that industrial organization only is effective in our
shops, also that we are teaching for many years that the Amalgamated is organized
industrially, but in Baltimore alone we have sixteen locals, and each local confines
itself to its own trade and often blocks the way of the others; also every local has
its own autonomy to decide or reject anything proposed by the central organization,
therefore be it

Resolved, that the General Executive Board be instructed to start an agitation
for one industrial local in every city, but members may be allowed to form nationality
branches to hold meetings in their own language.

F. J. BARTOSZ, Delegate 69.

The committee recommends non-concurrence.

President HILLMAN: You have heard the report of the committee. The com-
mittee reports non-concurrnce.

The report was unanimously carried.

Delegate ARNONE: I ask for the privilege of introducing a new resolution.

Delegate ISOWITZ: I object in view of the fact that we passed a rule —

President HILLMAN: Please, I will explain the rule. The rule is that a delegate
may introduce a resolution if he secures the unanimous consent of the convention.

Delegate ISOWITZ: Well, I object.

President HILLMAN: The resolution cannot be introduced.

Delegate SENTER: I think that the resolution should be heard first and then
objected to.

President HILLMAN: Well, the delegate objects before hearing what the reso-
lution is. (Laughter.)

Delegate BECKERMAN: I would like information. I would like to know the
reasons of the delegate, why he objects to the resolution before hearing it.

President HILLMAN: The delegate has a right to object without any reason
He has that privilege. (Laugter.)

At this point Delegate Isowitz withdrew his objection.

President HILLMAN: The objection has been withdrawn. Is there any other
delegate in the house who wishes to object?

President HILLMAN: Permission has been granted for the introduction of the
resolution. You will please give it to the assistant secretary.

Delegate COIIKN: I want to explain to the delegates that I have a similar case.

President HILLMAN: Ask permission.

Delegate COHEN: This morning a delegate from New York arrived

President HILLMAN: Delegate Cohen, you are now reporting as chairman of the
Organization Committee, and this should not be brought up now.

Delegate COHEN: I ask the unanimous consent of the house for the introduction
of a new resolution.

(There was no objection.)

188

BALTIMORE CONVENTION
Assistant Secretary Potofaky hereopon road the following two aew

RESOLUTION NO. lOi. ON ORGANIZATION OP CANVAS AND PAD

ABSOLUTION NO. 107. BY DELEGATES PROM LOCALS 4. • AMD U. ON CHARTER
FOR CLOTHING DRIVERS* UNION.

Committee on Organisation.

Resolution No. 107. by delegates from Locals 4. 8 and tt. oa charter for
Drivers' Union. Referred to same committee.

•i.i.-ni i ill. I.MAN Delegate Bison, on behalf of the **-— •**t- oa
moats, wishes to make an announcement, which may be in
ponement of our trip to Washington.

Delegate B18BN: Brother President and delegates: I wish to
at 11 o'clock machines will be here ready to take all delegates to
will start out from this hall at 11:30 and go to the
picture will be taken of all delegates. Than the
and proceed to tour Washington. They will stop at a
in a few different important places in Washington and them make a
the city and parks of Washington and proceed back to Baltimore to the
where an entertainment has been arranged for the delegates (Applause.)

President HILLMAN: We have very little time left for this mills I am
asked to introduce a few representatives who were delegated to tato
various purposes. I shall ask the speakers not to
each, as I have to present three or four speakers before we adjourn tato

The Jewish People's Relief Committee has delegated Mr. B. Zuckeri
this convention on Its behalf I shall now introduce to you Mr. B. Zuckormaa of the
Jewish People's Relief Committee. (Applause.)

Address by Mr. B. Zuckermsn.
(Translated from Yiddish.)

In the five minutes' time allotted me I shall bo unable to tell you all 1 have to
tell you on behalf of the Jewish People's Relief Committee.

In our last campaign the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
with the Jewish People's Relief Committee. Twenty-five choose
by the Amalgamated in New York for the War Relief Sufferers. It to troo that
large part of the individual unions throughout the country participated la the
enterprises for the Jewish Relief in the various towns. It Is also true that the
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America officially made all efforts last year to
raise all the money they could for the war sufferers.

I don't want to dwell too long on the conditions of the Jows In the
I am sure that most of you know it well, but 1 want you to
the work for the war sufferers Is not only work that
the war. I want you to know that one of our greatest
war is ended. No one of us knows when the war will
will end a problem will arise for the Jews in all countries to
homes. There are various views as to how the community shall be
In this respect the workers occupy a special position. The workers mm
and must be organised and. therefore. It is n

organized Jewish workers— shall give more attention to the question of relief. I
you have very much to do. You are occupied with many
own trade. But I want to call your attention, my friends.
Jewish population of Poland, of Lithuania, of Oallcia, of
death, so that after the war not a single Jewish soul may remain alive— 4f that
happen it may be that much will bo missing from the spirit of the

rkem of America. What other organisation can hotter take It
than you to see that after the war everything should be done that the J<
countries may work out their own salvation and free theiasossvos from charity. I
you. the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, who have shown sud
revolutionary courage, to take a more active part hi aotprag the war
can not submit a resolution, but It will be a vary food thing If you

Iff

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

that the relief fund must be made a permanent income. You can not content yourself
with occasional contributions. You must not. If you should, the work will be
occasional. Occasional work brings nothing. The Amalgamated must take upon itself
systematic work that each member should in one way or another make his contribution
to the war sufferers. Maybe the plan of one day's wages may be proper. In other
organizations It worked well, and I think that you will have to find a way as to how
to handle this problem and give your General Executive Board instructions how to
handle it. I hope that in the coming year the Amalgamated will show its spirit in all
parts of the work, and will show its great soul in the work of the relief of i
war sufferers and contribute its share to the fund of the People's Relief Conni
(Applause.)

President HILLMAN: We were supposed to have with us a few days ago
Professor Ripley. of the Board of Labor Standards. He did not come here and Un-
reason for his not coming here was our uniform department. When I say our uniform
department I take in the organization of the cloakmakers as well as our own. Our
organization had a strike in the City of Philadelphia and one of the largest employers
of labor. Wanamaker & Brown, locked out several hundred of our members. I shall
therefore give the five minutes that I would have given to Professor Ripley to Brother
Hollander and Brother Carp, of the uniform department of the City of Philadelphia.
(Applause.)

Address of Louis Hollander.

Brother President and Delegates: I shall try to make it in a minute and a qua
That will be sufficient. The President called upon me to make a report or say a few
words about the uniform situation in Philadelphia. I have been there now for only a
few months. The Cloakmakers' Union in Philadelphia works in conjunction
Amalgamated Clothing Workers. There is no difference between the Cloakmakers'
Union and "the Amalgamated in Philadelphia. We knew that the employers were
preparing themselves to give us trouble. We came down here last Wednesday to see
President Hillman and Secretary Schlossberg to talk over the situation. After we
received the advice of Brothers Hillman and Schlossberg we went back to Philadelphia.
Then the Wanamaker and Brown lockout came. Through the influence of Brother
Hillman we had in Philadelphia immediately, on the next day, Dr. Stone of Washington.
We also recei ">m Professor Rtplpy. tho r>n>f administrator, to be

in New York. We were yesterday in New York to settle the Wanamaker & Brown
lockout. Professor Rlploy. by the way, explained that he would like to be at this
convention but be had to go to Boston. I am glad to say that the Wanamaker & Brown
lockout was settled by Professor Ripley.

We came back from New York yesterday and met with the strikers. They accepted
the report and went back to work this morning.

Factories are being opened every day, and we will be in a position to control
the uniform situation in Philadelphia I believe as well as in New York. I have been
in Philadelphia only a few months, but my colleague, Brother Carp, of the Cloak-
makers, has more to say, because he is a Philadelphia man. (Applause.)

President HILLMAN: Brother Carp will use up whatever there is left of the five
minutes. (Applause.)

Address of Brother Carp.

Brother Chairman, Sisters and Brother Delegates: If I bad known that I would be
here at this convention and had had time to prepare a report for the last six months' work
of the uniform department in Philadelphia, I assure you you would be greatly interested.
As you know the city of Philadelphia is the city of Brotherly Love, the cradle of liberty.
But besides that Philadelphia also has some manufacturers who are making uniforms,
and they know more about the jungle than about a union. We are now tryinp to
unionize their factories. There are now quite a few manufacturers in Philadelphia
who will tell you how it feels to force a fight on us. One manufacturer told us the
other day: "If any manufacturer wants to have a fight with you, send his m
me and I will give him a/ good piece of advice." (Laughter and applause.)

President HILLMAN: We have yet a f*w minutes until the cars arrive and I
shall call upon Comrade Trachtenberg from the Rand School. (Applause.)

Address of Alexander Trachtenberg.

Comrades and friends: I come here in behalf of the Rand School of Social Science,

190

KALT1MOKE CONVKN

aa you know. a Socialist and working claae educational tastitutloa. devoted entirely to
the education of the ma ita« of the workers In order to prepare for more advance*
and more cultured leaders and worker* In the labor and flofttallot movement Two
years ago I was In thl. vary aame hall •ittiui for two weekj and attending the Amort

can Federation of l^bor Convention. 1 waa here but aa hour yesterday when 1 eaw

mated presenting an entirely different
had within that hour adopted resolutions endorsing the Socialist

this convention of the Amalgamated presenting an entirely different tasntaeia. Tom

hope that the time to not far distant when we shall secure the endonomont of suom
a resolution by the American Federation of Labor. (Applause.) We nope hsneuei

there are such organizations aa the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
are the outstanding post in the social and revolutionary movement in
We. in the Rand School, look forward to the Amalgamated Clothing Worker* of
America and similar organisation, who are interested in the educational work, to
further that revolutionary • he old Marxians used to say that we must have

millions In order to have revolution. In Russia it was not a question of numbers,
It waa a question of the degree of the revolutionary ciaaa onurtoueiies that made
the revolution possible. And it Is the class consciousness of the
this country that will help make a revolution in

Workers of America are on the road. They are the ones that are going to teach a
lesson to the workers In the other industries, to inspire them with revolutionary spirit
for revolutionising Industry. And so, although you are just one particle of the groat
labor movement In this country, because you are revolutionary, because you are claae
conscious, you represent everything there to In the labor movement as far as having
a mission to perform In this world is concerned. Therefore, comrades. I wtoh in the
name of the Rand School, a Socialist and revolutionary institution, to greet you
and hope you will offer your co-operation, aa you are already doing, because hundreds
of your members are going to the school In New York, attending the rlsesse. and I
hope your organisation aa a whole will co-operate with the Rand School
whatever assistance you can. more or less financially, to promote the
work among the labor and the Socialist movements of this country. 1
(Applauae.)

Presides HiLLMAN: We have called upon the uniform department from the
•«f Philadelphia. I understand we have here also the manager of the City of
Philadelphia, Brother Aldo Cursl.

Address of Aldo Cursl.

Mr. President and Delegates: Three or four fellows came around to me and
suggested that I speak. I think that we could save the time. You have had spMBhse
from Monday up to now. and It Is a little bit too much. I will be very brief anyhow.
Brothers Carp and Hollander have told you already of the good work that has
done in Philadelphia in the uniform department I will tell you of the good
that you have done yesterday and today. When I go back to Philadelphia tonight I
tell the District Council of two good resolutions that you have
44-hour week and another one about raising the percentage equally
I did not like yesterday to speak on that question because I am not a
I surely waa proud of that decision, because, unfortunately. 1 have seen at
times settlements made by which the better paid worker to t»
poorly paid worker, although the latter Is the man that should be mostly
I am proud of that decision and we shall see to it that whenever any
made we begin to build from the bottom up. The man who makes IIS. 118 and ftt
a week must get $K quicker than the man who gets $30 or $3S per

Another question that gave us
at this meeting today. Because be represents the

these two organizations can do wonderful work, and because they will have a
In a few days in the city of Boston. 1 think the resolution, that was brought on the
floor that we must have only one union in the garment industry, will be carried in
the city of Boston and before the neit convention takes place we will nave one con-
tention of all the unions In the needle trades (Applause.)

President HILLMAN: The Committee on Resolutions will meet tomorrow mom-
ing at 3 o'clock sharp at Room 1*10. Southern Hotel. 1 will ask the committees to be
on time so that they do not Interfere with our work.

Delegate POWERS of New York: 1 have received a resolution from my local
union this morning and I ask for unanimous consent of the convention for Its '
> object i<

Itl

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

RESOLUTION NO. 108, THANKING GENERAL EXECUTIVE BOARD, BY LOCAL 30,
NEW YORK CITY

Referred to Committee on Resolutions.

President HI u. MAN: I see in the hall one of our old former members, one who
was elected on the Board by the convention in Nashville, Tennessee, Brother Jacob
Elstein from Syracuse. I will ask him to speak to the convention for a few minutes.

Address of Jacob Elstein.

Mr. President and Delegates: I am here this morning in behalf of a city which
was one of the first to join you in the rebellion against the autocratic United Garment
Workers of America, but it has been very much neglected by this organization. Up to
the present time the organization has done very little to get that city into the ranks
of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. I am here to say a few words to you
on behalf of the city Syracuse. Syracuse, as some of you know, was at one time one
of the strongholds of this United Garment Workers. We were 100 per cent, organized
under the United Garment Workers at that time. Not because the workers loved
the Garment Workers, but simply because the manufacturers were using the label,
and so the workers were compelled to belong to the U. G. W. in order to keep th«-ir
jobs. But the workers of Syracuse have done their utmost to do away with the label,
because they knew that the label was detrimental to their interests and they wanted
to get away from the United Garment Workers for the same reason. Now we have
only about 10 per cent, of the union labels instead of 100 per cent, and we have the
best opportunity to organize the city of Syracuse if we should try to. I can assure
yon that if this organization sent a man there for, at the most, two months, we could
hare 100 per cent, in the trade of Syracuse organized under the banner of the Amalga-
mated Clothing Workers of America. What we need there is an organizer. The trade
now is mostly in the hands of the Italian people, and they are all willing to become
members of the Amalgamated, if we should try to bring them into the ranks.

I have been asked to come down here today and ask that you try and do what-
ever you possibly can in order to bring the city of Syracuse into the ranks of the
Amalgamated.

It is true, there are only between 1,000 and 1,200 people employed in the trade, but
nevertheless we want to see every city in the United States in the Amalgamated.

In conclusion, I want to thank you one and all for the privilege you have given
me, and I hope you will do your best for Syracuse. Let us organize them in the
Amalgamated. I thank you. (Applause.)

(The session adjourned at 11:20 a.m.)

BALTIMORE CONVEN

Seventh Session

...y Morning, May 17, 1918

The Convention was called to order at 9:4t a in . President Hillman prsslrtllf
Secretary Schloesberg read the following communications to the convention:
Presiu-ni H1ULMAN: Are any of the comlttees ready to report?

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.
By Harry Cohen, Chairman

RBSo NO. 39, ON A JB\Y M ELAND IN PALESTINE. BY LOCAL

173, BOSTON.

Resolution adopted at a special meeting of the Pants Makers' Union of
Local 173. Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, on Wednesday. March ». 191*.

Whereas, the Jewish people, the most oppressed and persecuted of pssplss, nave
suffered the brunt of the world war more intensely than sny other people, and

lereas. the object of this war. as proclaimed by the democratic countries, is

t.erate the small and oppressed peoples and to restore to
be it

Resolved, that we welcome with gratitude the declaration of
ment and Interallied Socialist Conference of their readiness to help la the
of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Be it further

Resolved, that we co-operate in every way possible to tne end that the
homeland be established in accordance with the principles ' the
Socialism.

Wherefore, we feel confident that the workers of the w» .- . u i *4m*

no less than the Interallied Socialists and we hope that the Socialist Internationale
will defend the right of the Jews to their home in Palestine.

Our delegates to the National Convention of the amalgamated Clothing Workers
of America are Instructed to present this Resolution and to spare no efforts to see it
adopted by the convention.

,LER. Pr salient:
' -OLDSTEIN.

The committee recommends concurrence *Uh this resolution to the extent that
it Is comprised within the program of the British Labor and the Inter Allied Labor
Conference, as submitted to us in the report of the General Executive Board of tne)
Amalgamated Clothing Workers, and which reads as follows:

The Jews snd Palestine.

The Conference demands for the Jews In all countries the same elementary rights
of freedom of religion, education, residence and trade and equal cltlxenshlp that ought
to be extended to all the inhabitants of every nation. It further siprnm the opinion
that Palestine should be set free from the hard and oppressive guisrimsni of the
Turk, in order that this country may form a Free State, under International guarantee,
to which such of the Jewish people as desire to do so may return and may work oat
their own salvation free from Interference by those of alien race or religion.

M i ilLLMAN: You have heard the committee report on Resolution No.
39. recommending to concur with it to the extent that It is

r Allied labor program and embodied In the report of the General
of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers. Are yon ready for the question?

(The recommendation of tne committee was unanimously carried )
*e.)

193

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA
RESOLUTION NO. 12. ON PRINTING OF THE CONSTITUTION, BY LOCAL 63.

Be It Resolved, that this convention orders the General Secretary, that within
90 days of the convention the constitution with its amendments be printed in the
regular due books in all languages, and same be sold to the members at cost price.

PAUL ARNONE,
F. BELLANCA,
B. ROMANO,
J. VASTANO,
DI NARDO.

(The committee recommends concurrence.)

President HILLMAN: You heard the report of the committee and the motion for
the adoption of the report. Are you ready for the question?

Delegate ZUBOW1TZ: I believe that the constitution should be distributed
without cost. If we cannot afford to print it for free distribution, to the members,
we should not print it at all.

Delegate ZORN: I think that the constltuion should be printed in booklet form
and if any member wishes the constitution, I think the few pennies that he would
have to pay will be an easy matter.

Delegate ALEXANDER: Move to amend that the constitution be printed in
separate books.

President HILLMAN: The resolution as it now reads is that the constitution
be made part of the due book. That is the resolution. The amendment is that it shall
be in a separate book. Has the amendment been seconded?

(The amendment was seconded.)

Delegate HELLER: I move that the constitution be put in a separate book form
because otherwise the book will be too big.

Delegate ARNONE: Brother President and Fellow Delegate.: When I drew up
that resolution 1 made it in such a way that the General Office should print the
constitution in a separate book form, and I don't see why so many people offer objec-
tions. The reason why the constitution should be in a separate book form is that
those people who are interested in it should pay for it, and I don't believe we should
always have that continuous bother of changing books because a new constitution
is going to be issued.

Delegate ISOW1TZ: I am in favor of the motion that the constitution be published
in the due books. If the constitution is placed in the due book the members will read
it. If the constitution is printed separately the members will not read it.

Delegate LEV INK: Does the amendment state that the duebook be printed in
the same book with the Constitution?

President HILLMAN No, a separate book.

Delegate LEVINE: The motion is that the report of the committee be adopted,
namely, that the constitution should be incorporated in the due book. The amendment
is for a separate book to be printed. It seems to me that both the motion and the
amendment are unwise. If you should print the constitution at present in a separate
form you will deprive many members of it, who will not buy the constitution, and if the
constitution, as the motion states, should be inserted in the due book, then those
who have already the book will have to wait three or four years before they exchange
it Therefore I move a substitute motion that the constitution be printed in a separate
form and also that in the future it be Inserted in the due book.

President HILLMAN: I can't understand your motion at all. Do you want the
constitution to be printed twice?

Delegate LEVINE: In the future it should be inserted in the due book.

President HILLMAN: This substitute is meaningless and cannot be entertained
on that account. I think we have had ample discussion. A vote has been called for.

Delegate ZORN: A point of information. If the motion is carried that the
constitution be inserted in the due books, will the due books that are out at present
have to be recalled?

President HILLMAN: It will be up to the office to make the arrangements. The
convention is legislating for the organization. The office will have to adjust itself

194

1MORE CONVENTION

according to your rulings The motion is that the constitution be printed la the du«
books. The s men dm eat U that It be printed In a separate booklet.

(The ameadmoat was defeated. The not loo waa carried that the constitution be
Incorporated In the doe bo*'

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON APPEALS AND GRIEVANCES.
By Delegate Blugerman.

l juat want to report that there have been no appeals and no irieranoea to rijirt
OB so far

President HILLACAN: We have agreed that no further reaolutlons win be taken
-tbors are at end. I am afraid.

We have with us one who la well known to the New York delegates, the cosmael
to our New York Joint Board. 1 now take treat pleasure la introducing to you oar
food friend. Morris Rotbeaberg.

Address of Morris Rothenberg.

Mr. Chairman and Delegates: It Is very kind of your chairman to Interrupt
deliberations and accord me the privilege of addreeaiag this convention
now when the time for greetings and felicitations baa paaaed and 700 are la the
of the serious builnsea of the organization.

I am very glad of this opportunity to greet you aa one who through
with my former partner. Judge Panken. stood very cloae to the cradle of the
ga mated when It waa born and has since been In touch with Its activities).

In thoee anxious days, preceding and following the Nashville Convention. I

fascination the efforts of a great body of working
they considered a denial of their elementary rights and

K!S. It was a mighty battle that they undertook, a battle waged against great

•irhed power. I sm sure that thoae who led the fight and launched the BOW
uadertsklnjc little dreamt that In the short space of three years moat of the dlsBcattiea
which then confronted them In the structure of the new organs-Moo W--M be over-
come and that It would grow to the effectiveness and the sir

Much undoubtedly has been said of the strength an

the organization baa reached, of the Improvements that It baa accomplished Cor its
members In the conditions of their labor, of Increased wages, of reduced hours of toll.

what impresses me still more Is the fact that the Amalgamated Clothing
of America baa made of Itself a atroog moral force.

The position of the Amalgamated Is unique. Although outside of the groat
organisation of America, although surrounded by opposition It is yet able to
every attack that Is made upon Its existence and has compelled many who
111 wishes aamlnst It to come to Its support at the moment when the teat
Mere size In numbers or funds cannot account for this Such
obtained by moral forces back of them.

Where does this moral force come from? How is It that other
which have lived much longer and pose is • greater numbers and larger
surpass it In this regard ? It comet from a healthy.
It comes from the fact that the beginnings were laid oa
from the fact that the leadership «>' miration is

In turn, reflects the clean and healthy and honest character of the
of Its membership.

I am sure that the Amnlgamated will not be content with merely improving the
material condition of Its members, but thst It will continue to
efforts In extending the moral and spiritual InDnence of the
particular moment and In the days that are to coma there will be
for doing this.

The paat three and a half years have boon the most tragic In the history of the
world There have beea more llvea exterminated,
has been more suffering and sorrow during this short period than in
ceding it. It cannot be. It must not be that all of this
be In vain It cannot be otherwise than that the world It
agonies of the birth of a new freedom. But that freedom will oaly come with the

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

defeat of that hideous monster which is attempting to spread its tentacles over ih«>
entire world; that freedom will only come when, after the destruction of that monster,
the new order of things in i shall be shaped— not by individuals holding the

destiny of peoples in their hands — by the peoples themselves.

Organized labor, representing the toilers and the producers of the world, must
make sure that on the day of readjustment its Influence shall be felt, its voice shall
be heard. That will only be possible provided the working people of the allied coun-
tries that now fighting the ugly form of militarism and autocracy will do their
full share in the successful carrying on of the mighty struggle. By giving th«>ir full
hearted support to the efforts to defeat the aims of this common enemy of civilization
that is attempting to dominate the world, labor will make certain that its voice shall
be heard in the making of the new peace of the world. If organized labor be
Indifferent or half-hearted in its support, it may by that lose the greatest
opportunity that will come to it to make itself a mlghtly factor, a compelling force
in shaping th reedom.

Organized labor will only have accomplished its high mission when, acting for
the common people, the real builders of the world, it will use its great influence to
order a new life in which those who toil shall get the fruit of their labor, in which
militarism shall become a thing of the dead and buried past, in which every individual
shall have an equal right to life and to the pursuit of happiness, in which every
nation, large or small, shall have the full right of self expression, the right to lead
its life in its own way, unhampered and untrarameled by the dictates of other nations
and to contribute what they are capable of to the sum of human happiness. Then,
indeed, we shall have a world in which there will be industrial, political and up;
freedom.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LAW.
By Abraham Miller.

RESO1.' 13. OX METHODS OF AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION,

BY LOCAL 63.

Be It Resolved, that this convention amend the constitution of our organization as
follows:

No amendment or resolution parsed by the convention shall become a part of
the by-laws of our organization unless adopted by a two-thirds majority of the votes
cast by the members taking part in said referendum.

The committee recommended non-roncurrence.

President HILL You heard the resolution and the committee's report.

The resolution advocates that nothing should become the law of our organization
unless It is carried by two-thirds majority referendum vote. The committee reports
non-concurrence and moves the adoption of the report.

Delegate CO":' I think this resolution should be adopted. I think it is very
advisable that important questions of our organization should have a two-thirds
majority before it becomes a law.

Delegate Si: Mr. Chairman and Delegates — I do not understand why the

chairman of the committee does not explain the recommendation. I believe that the
two-thirds majority does not conflict with democracy, and this is one of the reasons
that the committee has not concurred with this particular resolution. I might explain
for the benefit of Brother Cohen and those who are inclined to feel that it is necessary
to have a two-thirds majority for any action to become law in the Amalgamated
Clothing Workers of America, that this would hinder the work of the organization.
I think a!so that in all democratic institutions it is accepted that a majority is sufficient
for anything to become a law. It holds good in the election of officers in our organiz-
zation. It holds good in every instance.

Delegate MILLER: I have nothing further to add to what Brother Senter has
said. The constitution provides for a majority vote. The committee has discussed
this resolution that a two-thirds majority is less democratic than a simple majority, and
looking at it from that standpoint the committee stands by the present constitution
which provides for a majority and not for two-thirds.

The report of the committee recommending non-concurrence was carried.

196

Li ION

RESOLUTION NO. 10. ON MINIMUM WAGE. BY LOCAL 63, NEW YORK

Be It Resolved, that the Inoomlag O. B. B take op the question of
ft minimum wage on piece and week work in

every department of

and be it also

Resolv. ha general organisation adopt the week work system as a standard

in our in.i ;...ry and that the local unions start educational campaigns along that
line In order to further destroy the exploitation in the industries.

The committee has considered this resolution very carefully. This ™^»"rtfffB con-
tain* two different propositions. It contains the creation of a minimum scale of wages.
.t also wants this convention to go on record In favor of one system of work all
over the country. In vUw of the fact that we decided at the Rochester convention
that it would be premature to r organizations all over the country on that

ti. and gave each local market full right to decide what system to chooae.
we wtsh to continue that policy \v»r.v :•. .-..-•... m system may be very good for
York. It might work a hardship elsewhere. We. therefore, reoommead that we stand
:i of the Rochester convention, namely, to allow the respective markets
rk out their own system. (Applause.)

. ..-»it Hiu.MAN: The committee recommends the noo -concurrence with the

! ave all heard the motion. Are you ready for the question?
:.«gr.ie Z(> >w about the minimum wage?

• •idcnt U U was my Intention to state that we will vote separately

on the two propositions

Delegate GOLD: Mr. Chairman and Delegates— Locals 2 and 3 and ISC also

brought in a resolution to that effect. I disagree with the committee when U says

»• should leave it to each market for its own decision. We have a lystem of

week work In New York. When we come to the manufacturer be tells us that in

• •« the people are working piece work. The delegates of New York all know
that the week work system U the best system to control the conditions and the hours
of work. We know full w. U that It will be a hardship to bring It in the next weak.

> weeka from now. Hut we want the convention to go on record that the O. E. B.
should carry on an agitation throughout the country in that direction.
Delegate GOODMAN: Mr. President and Delegates— I don't
different towns have had experience with piece work, but we have had
the » •* York. We know that under the piece-work system, the

ing tholr utmost down the prices. Piece-work is a very bad

The work in our Industry is divided into operations, so that it is

• for the organisation to take care of every operation. .

the organisation to see to it that every operator should be satisfied with the

If we have a week work price it is kept up by the men. We don't have to

new prices for every new style.

Preside: I win have to remind the delegates of our five

other President and Delegates— I favor the

•• committee for this reason. I believe that piece-work and week work are
than week work only. Week work may tc good In Now York. I knotr that we have
week work in Boston. 1 know that week work cannot pay. Where we had piece
and week work, the men In the shop on piece-work made more wages, and they
had more freedom than they had on week work. Now. under week work, we are
being watched by the boss. Piece work brought us up to a higher level, a higher
wage, because seeing that the piece worker la making more wages, the week worker
naturally asked for more. We have seen that the week work system in Boston was
not a success. As it Is at the present time, every city has Its way. the way they
see better, and therefore I favor the recommendation of the committee.

Delegate BECKERMAN If the resolution introduced had insisted that
work be immediately abolished, and week work Introduced throughout the
elligent delegate could support It. because It could not be worked out in

he resolution does not call for this at all The resolution calls for an e

e week work system In preference to the piece work system, and for an
campaign along those lines. A resolution of this kind. In my opinion, sho
ported by those who are working weak work, and also by those who are
piece work. I know that In Chicago It Is very hard at this time to 4

hing. especially to change the system of work. But that doea not
should not accept a certain principle aa being beneficial to the
organisation. Piece work. In my opinion, creates Intense

it?

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

creates jealousy, and cannot possibly create cohesion and solidarity among them.
Week work does create solidarity. (Great applause.) I don't believe that because
we happened to decide one way in Rochester two years ago, that we must decide the
same way now, and must decide the same two years later. 1 think what we out; in
to do Is to reject the recommendation of the committee. We should appro
the principle of week work and we should instruct the G. E. B. to start an educational
campaign along these lines. (Great applause.)

Delegate ZORN: Mr. President and Delegates— Delegate Beckerman expressed my
views. I was a member of Local 10, New York. About twenty-six years ago th;,:
Local Union established a week work system of three months' trial, and ever since
that time I know that they have been working week work. I challenge any organization
to prove It is more efficient than the Children's Clothing Trades of New York, because
of the fact that they have been working so long at week work. I say th;
accomplish much more with the week work system than with the piece system. There
could not be anything worse in the trade than to put men and women at piece work.
As soon as the boss or the foreman sees a dollar more in their payroll he says,
"You are making too much money." I hope all delegates will go on the record for
week work.

Delegate FISHER of Local 39: Brother Chairman and Delegates — I don't be!
that the piece work system is such a curse as 1 heard here on the floor of the
convention from some of the delegates. We have a piece work system in Chicago. It
is not such a terrible curse. We have a Price Committee that decides the price for
piece work, and there is no limit how much money we should make. The piece work
system, so far as we are concerned in Chicago, works out very satisfactorily I-
us more freedom of action. Even the week workers are striving to work piece work.
because no sooner do they leave their places for a few minutes than the foreman is
after them. He is paying them for every minute they are on the Job. He is paying th.-
piece worker for every minute he is working. You cannot deny that the piece worker
has more freedom of action than the week worker.

Delegate ALEXANDER: I believe that the piece work system creates jealousy
and destroys solidarity. If one worker sees another making $20.00 a day, and he
makes only $12.00, he would not eat any dinner and any breakfast and any supper,
unless he makes $20.000 too. One gentleman told me, "I know that when I go into
the shop, I have to work ten hours a day, and afterwards, I am free, but when I work
piece work, when I get home, I am so tired I have to lay in bed and send for a
doctor." I am opposed to this recommendation of this committee.

Delegate VASTANO of Local 63: I am really surprised to hear from a committee
of such a democratic organization as the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America,
such an undemocratic recommendation. I am sure that the delegates here present
are striving for the betterment of conditions. I cannot understand how in the world
we should be able to better conditions by allowing the piece work evil to exist in our
industry. I know that whenever there is any grievance in a shop, it is usually due to
that driving system. And let me tell you that the driving system has not been an
established fact, or an established factor of the piece work system. We find many of
our shops, where people are actually driving one another, working piece work. As
well as we have been able to reduce the hours, in order to curtail unemployment.
we must also reduce the piece work system to week system, in order to curtail com-
petition in our industry. (Great applause.)

Delegate ALEX COHEN: Brother Chairman and Delegates — I think this organ-
ization cannot afford to say that we are going to permit every center to work just
as they please, or just as It suits them best. I do not mean to say by that that if we
are going to decide at this convention in favor of week work, that we are going to
carry it out immediately. I don't consider any piece work shop a pormanent union
shop. The man working under the piece work system has the psychology of a little
merchant that is selling something. For week workers the hours are definite. For
piece workers they are not. I don't know about Chicago. I know that in New York
any shop that is working week work is a union shop. In shops where they are
working piece work, they are perfectly sure that it is a non-union shop at best, even
if the people pay their dues to the organization. And, therefore, I say that the
resolution as recommended by the committee should be rejected. We should word
it so that the General Executive Board stand instructed for the week work system
wherever it is possible. Wherever it is not possible, naturally, we cannot do any-
thing. I say that all the delegates should vote in favor of rejecting the recommenda-
tion of the committee, and they should word the resolution so that our organization goes
on record that the week work system should prevail wherever possible. (Applause.)

198

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Delegate OOLDBEJU2 of Local S»: Mr. Chairman and Delegates— I believe
of us here agree with the principle of week work. But. aa the chairman of
raitiee stated here, it is impossible at this time It U claimed that all the
agents' time Is taken up with making prices for piece work, and that he has no
for other work. Another question was that people are ao selfish, and they try to beat
one another, and they kill themselves working. 1 wish to state that in Chicago we
had the same system In the beginning, but we brought our members to each a
level, that we are working under piece work system, but at the same time, our
are working under week work. I mean to say that the greatest part of our
In the shops are dividing the work. If there are ten people In a section. w<
the work among ourselves. We don't try to beat the other fellows by $3040

• 00. 1 wish to say that our Chicago delegates are perfectly satisfied with the
piece work system.

Delegate WOLF: Mr. Chairman and Delegates The recommendation of the

being discussed here In the light that the committee made It
s did not say that we disapprove of the system of week work The
mltte« states that because there are different markets, and dlffi

in those markets, we are not yet ready to accept and paaa a resolution for a
system. 80 fsr as I know, and so tar as all the delegates know, there are still
in thin country that are not yet organised to the extent that Baltimore or New York
or any other city is organised. We have to get busy on the other mark els

Delegate ALEX COHEN: May 1 ask the brother If he will permit me a queetlon?
sidrnt HI 1.1 MAN i should rather ask Delegate Cohen to ask his question after
we get through with the discussion.

Delegate COHJ .\ i want to ask a question If I am permitted.

President HILLMAN: Do you yield the floor?

Delegate WOLF: Not on my time. (Laughter.)

Delegate WOLF continued: If you pass a resolution by which we will go on
record for a system of week work, it means that you will

organisation from taking up work In other cities. That will surely be contrary to

land. They

ral purpose of this convention. If you take Rochester or

• .y piece work markets. If you take Chicago. It Is an exclusively
market In principle, some of the commltteemen. and most of us. agree that
week work system Is a good system, but we are not ready to commit our
by a resolution to one system of work. For that reason we don't want this
to pass resolutions that are not practical at this time. I am nob opposing the
of the propo am simply saying that this convention a

neuter and the convention in Webster Hall never passed a
General Executive Board did something to promote the idea expressed In that
tlon. Printing resolution means nothing. I disagree with putting on
resolution that It will be Impossible to carry out As far as week work is
I understand that it is much better to work week work than piece work. I am
weak work, and have agitated In City of New York for week work, but I don't
to have this convention go on record with a resolution that will not be carried OSJL
I want every resolution. 1 want everything that this convention adopts to be carried o«i
in life. (Applause.)

Delegate (ON A point of Information Do 1 understaa

that this resolution calls for a simple educational campaign to the end of
Ing week work?

-i.l.-ii: im.LMAN reads from the resolution as follows: -And also be U
resolved that the general organisation adopt the week work system as a standard In
our industry, and that the local unions start educational campaigns alone that line.
In order to furth. the exploitation In the Indu*

Delegate MARIMPIETRI Mr. President and Delegates— To begin with. I must
say that In principle I am for week work as much as anyone In this convention. 80
many things have been said that I came to the conclusion that those brothers who
spoke are not handling the piece work system in the right way. In Chicago we have
one man to handle the piece work price for all sections. There are as many as 171
sections. Nearly all these sections are handled entirely by one man. with
now and then. Somebody spoke about education for the members, If our
could be educated to the week work system, there Is no bettor edwoattoa that
ho given to the membership. In Chicago this has boom iccosmnhehed by
among them the number of garmenu to be made, and It
speed with which they used to work In previous times. 1 have bad week

Iff

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

come to me. and say they want piece work. And there Is a reason for it. In Chicago
the piece workers are making more than the week workers. The week workers only
received a 33 per cent, increase in the last three years, and yet, among the piece
workers, they have had a much greater increase under the piece work system. Now,
I Bay it we educate our people that In the speed they don't gain anything, we will
be accomplishing much. It is only under the piece work system that the workers
are making $40.00 and $45.00 a week, and you can never accomplish that und.
week work system.

Previous question was called for.

This was carried.

President 111 LILIAN: The question of week work and piece work has been
discussed at our Rochester convention. The resolution is re introduced, probably by
the same organisations, at this convention, and I am sure it will be re-introduced again
at other conventions, until a proper settlement of the question will be found. At our
Rochester convention, after a thorough discussion, we agreed that the decision for
systems and methods of work should be left not to the national office, not to the
officers of the organization, but to the local organization, to the local body responsible
for conditions in the local market. There is always the tendency of one locality to
force Its views upon the others. As long as that concerns only matters of opinion
there is no actual danger. But when this is attempted In order to commit the organi-
zation to a policy, then this becomes not only a danger but may actually lead to a
catastrophe. The Boston market had its experience. The Boston market introduced,
by arbitrary power, the week work system on a piece work market, and our whole
organization went to smash. The national office paid the rent of the office for over a
year. We had no more than seven or eight dues-paying members in the city of
Boston for a year. Now, 1 am asking the delegates, would it be worth while, if only
one small market would be effected that way? I know Delegate Beckerman says we
don't want to enforce week work; we only recognize the principle. The strength of
our organization has consisted in the past because we came with no policies to our
members that we did not intend to enforce. If we will face the issue of an educ.
campaign in the city of Rochester for a week work system, and the people will go
out on strike, then it is too late to go to those members and say, "Well, we did not
mean it. It was merely an educational campaign." Our strength comes from the
fact that the clothing workers know that when we come to them with something, we
come with something that we really mean to stand by, not simply to raise false
issues.

I have no hesitation in saying here that outside of the cutting branch there is
no week work system in our industry. If you call it week work in small contracting
shops, where I have seen men receiving $51.00 a week for sewing in sleeves, and
making work for $110.00— if that is your work system, I don't want it. (Applause.)
We have the worst kind of a speed-up system. Until our organization will introduce
a standard wage system, until our organization will introduce a standard output
system, we are not ready to lay down our policies for week Ve are r

an attempt in a place to introduce a week work system that will put in standards,
that will put in maximum outputs, that will put in a minimum standard of wages.
We are always facing actual situations. Supposing we are called in in the city of
Rochester, and we demand the week work system, and you must fight for it. I
don't want to be a prophet, but I am afraid that you will make very little progress
anywhere, if you will make this the cornerstone of your organization today. There
can be no standard at all under the week work arrangement. It is a proposition where
the contractor gets the best of it. He enriches himself on the week work system.
I know in New York, in the uniform situation, the contractors always asked for week
work, and not for piece work. Why? Because they could get a greater output for
less money. I am not opposed to either week work or piece work, but I say that
the organization is not ready — we have not worked out the system yet. The tasks
before us are still great, and instead of permitting our organization to work it out,
and sometime in the future we may find a solution, you will simply make a resolution
that will make it impossible. It is because of that that I hope that the delegates
will vote for the recommendation of the committee, which means that as far as the
system of work is concerned, we permit the local organization to dictate the policy.
As for the national organization, we are still trying to find out methods how to bring
order of the chaos that exists in the industry. I think that we ought to let the
convention appoint a committeee to investigate, not simply to pass a resolution.
Let there be five or ten men who will come to us at the next convention, and say,
"We have investigated. We know it is possible." Not to simply have a delegate

BALTIMORE CONVENTl

come from Brooklyn or from Boston, not knowing what ia going on in the ladaatff

"T. and say by bis vote what the future of the organisation shall be on a policy

that demands, first of all. the tacts— the cold facts, and nothing but the facts. 1 do

hope that the delegate will not bind us to an impossible situation. (Great Applause.)

The vote is on the motion. You all heard the motion. The motion ia
with the report of the committee, which leaves the situation, a* far as the
and week work are concerned, aa It la today. All in favor of the motion win
by saving "Aye."

There waa a divlaion called for.

n a recount, the motion waa carried by 19 for the motion aad if
Delegate BECKERMAN: I move to have it put to roll call.
The motion to i> >ll call was carried.

The final roll call was S3 for. 73 against and 11 absent
The rm-ommend* 10 committee to leave the coi

work and week work ns they have been in the past, was therefore carried by a vote
of 83 for and 73 agai

KCKERMAN: I ark the unanlznoua consent of the convention for a
special privilege to be granted to Brother Senter. aa he has to leave the convention.
i is waa granted.
«'gate Senter waa enthusiastically received.

Farewell Address of Meyer Senter.

Mr. Chairman and Delegates: Thla event in my life, under the circumataacea

y are today, ia such a* I never thought possible. I never thought that, while being

in the naval service. I abould also be able to be present at the convention of oar

organisation, which I have. In my own humble way. helped to make what It la today.

1 want to thank you fo. :esy that you have extended me. and the pleasure that

tone day I might be able to be back with you and again participate in the work for

>b!e cauae of the oppressed people of the world.

-e 1913 I have participated in every struggle of our organisation. 1 have
all of It* joys. I know that through the itruffsjlet of the past five years we have
pllshed much more than did other organizations in twenty or twenty-five years.
I also know that there are still greater struggles ahead of us. Aad it Is up to
fellow delegates, to atand by the ahlp. the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of

the most careful way. You are the captain of the ahip
he ones whom 100.000 aoula look to. to lead them, to bring them into a world
brighter and happier than what It la today.

The enemlea of the organization are many within the labor movement and without.
Tbe - «•* of the organization we know aa well aa the external. We know

that we have to contend with employer*. We have to contend with profiteers But
there are enemlea also who are within labor's own rank*. There are men wfeo aaaitr
for the labor movement. In the name of the labor movement, who would like to eead
a dagger into the heart of our organization. And of these enemies beware. Be aa

ne. Stay on the deck of thla ship and protect her.
birth of the Amalgamated there waa a new thought born In my
the thought that some day tbe working class will have a real and sound
to look forward to. When that time will come I know that the Amalgamated will take
aad.

I believe that this Is all I can aay at the present time. I wiah to extend my
thanks to the Third Naval District of the United States for giving me aermtailna te
come here. I wish to extend my thanka also to Brother Friedman and Brother
berg, who worked hard to afford me the pleasure of being present at this

those wort*, brothers: I hope snd trust that In all your
deliberations you will have in mind those who look up to you aad that you will
have in mind the thought that baa been In my mind that the
become the spokesman of the American labor movement
The conclusl" addreas waa followed by long and

Preside, railed on Secretary Schtoeaberg to make a few

Address of Secretary Schloeseero.

Mr. Chairman. Delegatee. Brother Senter: Brother Beater ia here today with aa

301

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

as a symbol of the world situation. He is, in addition to that, in a very intimate
sense, a representative of some of our dearest ones, who now occupy the Very position
that he does. I feel that each one of us present here sees in Brother Senter a sort
Af connecting link between our organization, collectively, the delegates individually,
and those who are dear to us. whether they are members or our personal friends or
relatives, who are now over there. If Brother Senter has the opportunity to take
our message of love and greetings to our members and dear ones, it will be a source
nsolation to us, as well as to them, when that message Is delivered to them.

Brother Senter has been one of our most active members. When he said that he
shared our joys, it was not a mere phrase — a mere form of speech. He was one of
those, fortunately not small In number, who have carried the brunt of the burden of all
the struggles of our organization. He takes with him the blessings, the most heartfelt
blessings and thanks of all the officers and active members of this organization.

Brother Senter may have to face some critical moments. I hope that whenever any
such moments come that Brother Senter will find new strength, new courage, in the
thought that there are one hundred thousand people in whose hearts he occupies a
hie place. Brother 9enter may always fall back upon this fact that his place in the
organization remains open for him. There may be many thousands coining into our
ranks to increase them, strengthen them and enlarge them. Brother Senter's place will
remain open to be filled by him the moment he comes back. The work that he has
done has been a definite contribution to the spirit of our organization.

I have been very deeply stirred by Brother Senter's remarks. They have come
from the depths of his heart. I assure Brother Senter, and I think I can speak in
the name of each and everyone of you, that they have found a response just so deep
in the hearts of all present here.

Brother Senter, we have been fortunate enough to have you here with us. You
are leaving the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America in a very happy state.
You see that the harmony established in our ranks was not a temporary affair.
This convention— <while we call it the third it is really the fourth In our history*—
has found us stronger, greater, with more problems, with a greater diversity of friendly
opinions. This convention is Just as harmonious as were all the previous conventions.
You see that the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America has been organized along
lines that make room for all honest differences of opinion within our own ranks, and
has no room for any dishonest opinions, or maneuvers, or schemes, which led the
previous organization to ruin. The fact that this fourth convention is held in that very
spirit in which the organization was originally formed; this fact speaks more than
anything else for the security and happy future of this organization.

May this message that the harmony of this convention gives to you always be
with you and give you strength and power to go through all the ordeals that you
may be called upon to go through, and come back to us, back into our ranks — you along
with all those of whose presence and co-operation we are now deprived, and those
of whose co-operation we may in the future be deprived.

I say, may you all come back to us and return to your old posts. And then, when
the terrible nightmare that is now resting upon the human race will be lifted, and
mankind will again be able to breathe free and the peoples of the world will take
up the fight for industrial democracy, for social democracy, for full freedom, for real
brotherhood of all the peoples of the world— may we meet in another convention
and have the help of all of you in taking up the greater problems that will then confront
us.

The fight will be bigger, more intense. But we hope that it will not be in the
least bloody, that it will be a powerful fight of the enlightened nations of the world,
of the enlightened working classes of the world, to bring the opportunity for the
people everywhere to live their lives in their own way, and remove from their backs
the parasites of all descriptions.

We shall then steer this great ship of which you have spoken; not only the ship of
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, but the great fleet of an emancipated
and enlightened labor movement, into the beautiful harbor of the Co-operative Common-
wealth, where all will be happy, where there will be no occasion for such valedictory
as we heard here today.

Secretary Schlossberg's address was greeted with deafening applause. President
Hillman then bade farewell to Delegate Senter as follows:

Address of President Hillman.

I am sure, delegates, that Brother Schlossberg has expressed the feelings of every

202

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

man and woman In this hall, and 1 may aay. the feelings of every one
opportunity to come in contact with Brother Beater. All 1 wish to say on this
it that I have considered It a personal privilege to have worked aad straggled with
Hrother Beater and a number of others like him.

The great aad wonderful success that our organisation haa achieved is due to the
Beaters In our organization, the men aad womea who always stood by the nusilisiiea
in time of stress, who have given all there waa la them to oar laovemeat to bring
it where it is today. 1 assure Brother Beater, sad through him all thoae who are
leaving us In response to the call, that we here, those who will remain here, will
consider it our duty to double oar energy, to increase oar effort, so that when Brother
Beater and the others return they will find our organization evea stronger than it is
today.

Delegates, I aay that we must realise the greater reepeasiblllty that BOW rest apea
thoae of aa who remain here. 1 want to greet Brother Beater Before he- leaves, and
sead through him a measage of hope and cheer to all thoae who are away from us.
and 1 hope that In the near future we shall meet again, a tree people la a tree
world. (Tumultous applause.)

In the hall arose to their feet and wildly cheer Beater. Puslllaal
halted the work of the convention to permit Beater to shake hands with the
before leaving. Benter departed amidst the cheers and plaudits of the
everybody rising In his honor

President H1LLMAN: Brother Miller has the floor for a person

.•gate MILLER: Through an unhappy oversight on the pert of the
not have a chance to express my opinion on the question that was just
that la. the question of the week work. Now. I just want to say a few words by the
way of assuring the delegates, particularly the New York delegates, who
position 1 have taken for the last three years on the qnestloa of week
when I voted for the recommendation la the ooBtmlttee. It waa with the
•landing that I was not voting against that which I have beea fighting for the peat
three years, against the big majority of the members of the Pants Makers' Union I
have carried on a fight for week work when in our organization there were oaly a few
that were with me. I don't want the delegates to be uader the impression that I
changed my opinion on that proposition. 1 only voted for It because I felt that It
would be a calamity to the organization if this convention would bind Itself to a
proposition which Is at the present moment impossible to force oa the other markets.
I thank you for the chance you have given me to explain. (Applause)

The Law Committee then continued Its report.

RESOLUTION NO. 31 ON RIGHT OF GENERAL OFFICERS TO SERVE AS
DELEGATES. BY LOCAL 2. NEW Yo

the convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers maieaes for the
purpose of hearing the reports from General Officers of their work for the last two
yar*. b.« It

Resolved, that the said General Officers shall not be entitled to act as
to the convention of our organization with the exception of General
General Secretary

RASTERS' AND TAILORS' BRANCH OF THE UNITED

HOOD OF TAILORS. LOCAL NO. 2. A. C W. OF A.

Joe Goodman.
Harry

Brother Rappaport of Local t whose loom! Introduced thla
oae who voted for it

Brother Roeenblum at this point took the chair.

Chairman RO8ENBLUM: You have heard the resolution and the
of the committee. What is yeour pleasure?

Delegate MILLER: This resolution practically deprives a member of
tunity to be a delegate to thla convention, tor the oaly reason that he may he a paid
official This conmltutloB provide* that aay member of aay Local Ualea has at all
times the right to be a dejegateto thla convention, and oa this ground the

Delegate GOODMAN of Loom! I: Mr. Chairman and Delegates I
thst a coaventlon la gathered for the purpose of smeatlag usaelUalluai If

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

has been introduced that committee has no right to come back and, because
this is against the constitution, recommend non-concurrence. I think that if this is the
only ground we should refer it back to the committee. We know that in the past
conventions under the old administration members paid by the General
Board were controlling the convention, and they drove us out from the convention,
know the convention we had in Nashville. I happened to be a delegate. Every
man who was paid by the General Executive Board had a certain number of people
around him, and he was controlling them. They did not permit the ladies and the
overall makers to go by themselves, and they had a man who was control li in
in order that the other delegates should not be able to speak to them and tell the
truth about the organization. At the present time we know that everything is in order.
But we must prepare; we must build up a constitution that will provide for the future.
Why are we afraid to accept a radical constitution? I think this has to be
constitution in order that the future should not be the same as we had in the past
Delegates, I beg you all to support the resolution, because this is a proper reso
I thank you. (Applause.)

Delegate BECKERMAN: I would like to have the original resolution read again,
because I did not hear certain parts of it.

Delegate MILLER, the chairman of the committee, thereupon read the resolution
once more.

At this point. President Hlllman resumed the chair.

President HILLMAN: That would then become part of our constitution, if adopted
and approved by a referendum vole. The only thing I would like to get from the
makers of the resolution is, do they mean paid by the international office or paid by
any office?

Delegate GOODMAN: Paid by the national office only.

Delegate ALEX COHEN: Delegate Goodman has begged us to vote for the
resolution. If he begged the delegates to do him a favor that is one thing, but I
think when it comes to a question of logic I don't see why any man, a member of
this organization, should not have the right to come among 300 men, even if all the
General Executive Board are members of this convention. Among 250 men they surely
have a right to express their opinions about matters concerning the welfare of the
organization. New, you have seen just this afternoon, I am fortunately, or unfortunately,
a paid officer, paid by the General Executive Board at this time.

Delegate GOODMAN: For how many weeks?

Delegate COHEN: It is just three weeks, but I hope it will be more. (Laughter.)
But that did not make me stand behind the President. I was rather in opposition to
the President, and I feel that if a member is honest and sincere concerning the work
of his organization he will at any time and all times preserve the right for himself,
not for the sake of local this or local that, but for the sake of his own conscience,
he will always preserve the right to express his opinion. I feel that it would some-
times even become not only an inconvenience, but it would become a menace to this
organization if you exclude all men or women that are participating daily in the work
of this organization, who have the opportunity to see things at first sight, who have
the facts before them, who know the organization from all sides. If you would exclude
these men and women from participating in the deliberations of this organization, I
think you would commit the greatest fol'y. I hope that we are going to vote down this
resolution and concur with the report of the committee as it is reported by the chair-
man. (Applause.)

Delegate BECKERMAN: Brother Chairman and Brothers: I think that this
resolution is not entirely a resolution separate by itself to be discussed on its particular
merits, but is more or less a part of a state of feeling that exists among certain
delegates, and amongst a good many of the rank and file, towards a paid official in
general — not necessarily a general paid official, but a paid official in general. 7 want
to say that for the life of me, and I think I am quite as democratic as anybody here,
and believe in the principle of democracy, I cannot see any reason for any motion of
this kind at this particular time. I can quite agree with you that if the men who
are in the pay of the general office are going to have the entire say as to their own
conduct, I quite agree that it is absolutely undesirable. But I cannot see where we
would benefit by forbidding three or four or five or six or ten delegates to have their
say or their vote on this floor if the members of their locals think that they are
fit to represent them. I don't see where it is aiding democracy by preventing people
from sending as delegates the men who they think are most desireable to represent them
at this convention. I can assure you that if locals decided that certain men are not

204

BALTIMORE CONVENT:

represent them, the locals will not elect them, and if the locals think they are
represent them they will elect them. And the locals should not be prevented
from electing them. This is not democratic. This to not a motion tor more demo

a motion to eliminate some democracy that we have at the pramt ttasa.
(Applaus. one do not belong to any croup of people who will try to pick on

a paid official because ha happens to be a paid official. 1 rather belonc to thai group
that should seek to encourac* anyone who will put in his full lime of service for the
orcanisation rather than one who >e at his disposal tor the

orcanisation We should not try to Interfere with, but rather aid that particular
kind of member la our organisation We should not seek to decrease democracy, but
: on to all the democracy that we have, and try to attain more. This
to not a good move. This is not a practical move it it not a beneficial move, and it
surely is not a democratic move. (Applause.)

Delecate GOLD: We have been told that the organization can be controlled by a
croup of men. Then I say It Is a shame if any local should send men of that kind

thai run b,- ...Mtroll,-,! |,v ;.'„• iM.l!M«l<Kil I fta! thai " '• -• •• ', • - ' , / .:.:ru

lion are too intelligent to be controlled by an Individual 1 say It to silly. We are
going to extremes. 1 think it would be a shame for the convention to adopt a reeo-
hat kind

Delecate BLUGBRMAN: Mr. Chairman. It has been m+ntiooad here before by
the N • gate that if a local elects a man to the convention.

would represent the Interests of the members of that particular local.

hat in some cases the locals are led by economic reasons to
organisers to conventions. Organizers— it is said if they are good to be organisers, they
are good to be representatives to conventions. That may be richt to
Hut in some instances one may be a good orcanlser but not a
rank and file of a certain orcanisatlon. Let me tell you.
that I would rather permit an injustice against a few Individuals who may not be In
a position to be delecates to a convention than commit an injustice to thousands
of members of this organization who may be deprived of real democratic riprusitstloa
if this resolution is not carried. I will tell you why. You say there are five, ten or
fifteen delecates. maybe, who will be in the employ of the general office who may have
a voice or vote in this convention. Now. let me tell you a secret. I am only the first
time at th 'ion. and I have not been to many conventions, but I know that there

are always s few who control the convention. It may not be the case here at this
convention of the Amalgamated after a few years of Its existence. But where to the
guarantee that It will be so In the future? I •- ill not take chances with all the
democratic sentiments, and with all the democracy we are fond of hearinc so
unless you create a constitution which will provide us with a real

President HILLMAN: Previous question was called for. The
that the resolution be non •concurred in.

The recommendation of the committee was adopted.

Delecate GREENBERG of New York: Brother Chairman and
succest that the Chair should Instruct every delegate who
questions to let him know a minute before his time is up. so that ha can
statement in full.

President HILLMAN: The Chair shall be guided by that question It is a very
good suggestion. At four minutes I shall rap and the delegate will know that hto time
to coming to an end. (Laughter and applause.)

REPORT OF THE ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE.
By Delegate Crystal.

I wish to nk the delegates not to leave the city with a bad impression that the
Baltimore orcanisation did not do their bit tor the delecates. At the opening of the
convention I heard several remarks, and right alone every day we beard remarks that
the organisation In Baltimore did not make proper arrange men i» I want to say that
the Baltimore orcanisation did all It possibly could to have the delecates of
various citlo* live here la comfort for the week, but
could not do any better than we did. The Baltimore
nor money to make this week of the
delecates. I have here a book which the
District Council—published. T>e book contains the history of the Amalgamated

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Workers in this city. We have the portraits of our international officers in here, also
of some local officers and of members of the two largest shops in the city of Baltimore,
that is Strouse Bros., and Sonneborn ft Co. We have here articles by Brothers Schloss-
berg and Panken. and we have lota of other Interesting things in this souvenir which
the delegate* will enjoy. If you don't enjoy anything else, I am sure you will enjoy
this book when you read it. Bach delegate will get a copy.

Tonight, at 8 o'clock. Cutters Local 15 will have a smoker in honor of the delegates
at 1012 East Baltimore Street

I was asked by Delegate Miss Jacobs to announce that the girl delegates who
do not desire to go to the smoker will be taken by her to the theatre tonight. The
lady delegates are asked to gather in the Emerson Hotel at a quarter of eight, in tin-
ladles' waiting room. (Applause.) I also want to announce to the delegates that the
Arrangements Committee has arranged to have photographs taken. The photographer
is coming up here this afternoon. I believe he will be here about half-past four or five
o clock.

Secretary SCHLOSSBERG: I want to make an additional announcement for the
Arrangements Committee. When you get these books, and if any one of you should
make up his mind, or her mind, to read it. I want you to remember this: there is one
article that has been attributed to me, for which I am not entitled to any credit. I
don't know why the compositor was so liberal about it. There is an article entitled
"Am I My Brother's Keeper?" That article I did not write. I inserted a few lines,
but the1 article was taken from somebody else. My name is there by mistake. I want
you to know that whatever credit the author is entitled to. the article does not belong
to me.

Session adjourned at 12:35 p. m.

206

BALTIMORE CONVBN

Eighth Session

Friday Afternoon. May 17. 1918.
Chairman called the convention to order at 2 o'clock

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.
By Delegate Arnone.

ION NO. 70. A8 TO THE BUTTONHOUB MAarff»f OF NsTW YORK. BY

J44

At a joint meeting of the Executive Boards of Locals 244 and 24f. of New York and
Brooklyn, held on April the 27th. 1918. the delegate of the above locals to the Third
Pltlilil Convent ion of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
to submit the following resolutions to the A. C. W. of A, la

Whereas, the buttonhole makers have been
remedied in other branches of the tailoring Industry,
system, a system which makes it difficult and well nigh
makers to reap even a fair portion of the fruits of their

Whereas, the buttonhole makers' unions of New York and
by every means possible to abolish this evil, which retards their progress, itiisrs their
well being and prevents their members from earning a decent livelihood, and

Whereas, the above unions have repeatedly appealed for asefstinoe to the

Mng Joint Board and to the New York Joint Board
morally bound to exercise their good offices to give aid and comfort to their
unions, but the above Joint Boards have always turned a deaf ear to the
cry for help from the locals, and

Whereas, during the current year numerous el

all of them working harmoniously with the various unions, submitting to a
and negotiating directly with them, except In the case of the buttonhole
who are compelled to accept the miserable pittance allowed them by the
and sub-contractors, so that numerous eases can be cited where the week!

onhole makers are as low as $12 a week, therefore be It

Resolved, that the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. In Third
Convention assembled. Instruct all assembled delegates to submit to their
locals the decisions of the convention, as follows:

l TV. ..nhole Makers' Locals 244 and 245 must be accorded the
nltlon as that given to all other locals affiliated with the
of America In their shops and factories under the jurisdiction of the A. C. W. of A.:
those shone must employ as buttonhole operators only good standing members of
144 and 24S.

2. Wherever a contractor or manufacturer has
buttonhole operator this work must be done on the premlm of said
contractor, and should under no circumstances he allowed to he

S. In order to set the buttonhole makers on the
workers In the clothing Industry, which Is manifestly their doe right, the
or contractor must furnish said buttonhole makers with the
and other equipment, and

4 It should be reonsjnrsert as the solemn duty of all unions affiliated with the
Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America to aid and support Locals 244
their just and reasonable endeavors to obtain recognition as ulnne to
tmrs and contractors conduct negotlatlona directly with them, and. Anally, to
the wasteful and pernicious sub-contracting systesm.

a OOUMHOOU Local 244

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OP AMERICA

The resolution was read seriatim to the convention.

President HILLMAN: The committee recommends concurrence and moves the
adoption of the report as read.

The entire report was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 106, ON THE LIBERTY DEFENSE UNION, BY NEW YORK
DELEGATES.

Whereas, there are hundreds of men and women sentenced to terms in prison
because of their having exercised their constitutional right of free speech and free
assemblage, and

Whereas, the prejudices aroused against them by a hostile press has made their
defense more difficult, and

Whereas, the Liberty Defense Union has taken upon itself the protection of the
constitutional rights of the men and women who are in need of such assistance, be it

Resolvejl. that this Third Biennial Convention goes on record as endorsing and
approving the work of the Liberty Defense Union, and pledges its help, morally and
financially.

Alex Cohen, Local 3; Frank Cancellleri, Local 176; Abraham Beckerman, Local 40.

RESOLUTION NO. 80, EXPRESSING THANKS TO MRS. BLUMBERG, BY NEW
YORK CUTTERS' DELEGATION.

Whereas, during the struggle that took place in the city of Baltimore in the
summer of 1916 our comrade, Mrs. Blumberg, has rendered most valuable services and
exhibited great devotion to our organization, be it

Resolved, that this convention does hereby express its highest appreciation of the
splendid exhibition of self-sacrifice shown by our esteemed comrade.

Meyer Senter. Local 4; Harry Jacobson, Local 4; J. P. Friedman, Local 4; L.
Feinberg, Local 9; Abe Silverman, Local 9.

The committee recommends concurrence and moves its adoption.

President HILLMAN: You have heard the motion. Are you ready for the question?

The motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 78, ON AMNESTY FOR POLITICAL PRISONERS, BY DELEGATE
ALEX COHEN, NEW YORK.

Whereas, this Republic was founded upon the principles of liberty and indepen-
dence as a result of a victorious revolution against despotism, and

Whereas, it has been declared by the government of the United States that the
present var is being waged in the defense of the same sacred principles, which include
the right to propagate ideas and theories with regard to prevailing social and economic
conditions, and

Whereas, the propagation of such ideas must inevitably produce antagonism
between the advocates of the old and those of the new:

Whereas, as a result of such antagonism clashes occur, and advocates of the
new order are sent to jail, be it

Resolved, that all such persons of the labor movement who are being sentenced
to jail terms for such activity be considered political prisoners, and we ask that full
amnesty be granted to them at the close of the war.

The committee reccommends concurrence.

Unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 92. FOR SOCIALIST PARTY, BY DELEGATE S. LIPZIN,
LOCAL 156, NEW YORK CITY.

Whereas, the Socialist Party works hand in hand with our organization, therefore
be It

Resolved, that we endorse officially the Socialist Party.

The committee recommends its acceptance.

Delegate GOLD: Mr. Chairman and Delegates: I think this resolution would
be an injustice to those who are not in the Socialist Party. I don't see why you should

208

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

force upon us the endofiemtnf of a party that we are not affiliated with, I don't
think you should do it

Delegate COHEN: I rise to do justice to Brother Gold and help him as
1 can. It is true that the Socialist Party helped us in every way

of the A"!tlg*«*eJ«4 Clothing Workers of America. I dont know of any
as good as the Social!* jrk and elsewhere. I know the party's .

and the party's speakers have always been on the job All that is true. But 1 feel
that a» a labor organisation we must make room for all elements that are In our
Industry. 1 feel that our organisation is as it la because of the fact that there Is
opportunity for each and every one to give eipreatlon to his ideas and oj

ing Workers of America should gt> on

ing offln. ny and arouse many difficulties, and many

obstacles, ami agreements among the member*. I don't think this is a very

helpful and healthy condition In an organisation. And while I feel that our loyal

, at all times have been willing to stand by the Socialist Party and have helped

the Socialist r would not like to see the resolution paased that we endorse

officially tho Socialist Party.

Delegate ZOKN While a member of the party personally. I would not like to see
this tnposed upon an organisation. I therefore hope that the

te committee will not prevail.

The Chair will recognise two more for and two
sgalntt. If iM.-re Is no objection from the house. Otherwise I can see that we will have
a whole afternoon discussion on this.

Delegate BLUGBRMAN: Mr. Chairman. I believe that, as It has been said net*
on the floor by various speakers, that this union Is different from other unions to this
country. We must not do as other unions do. by saying we cannot
ourselves in favor of a certain political party. We are an economic
at the same time most of us believe in the political struggle of the
I therefore feel that this convention »hou!d go on record In declaring Itself In sympathy
;md In support of the Socialist Party of this country. (Great applause.) We
say •; nrrantentlon is Ror'r .!l«ticn'ly Inclined. Now. where do we say it. nnd

how do we say It? Why should not we. by passing this resolution frankly and dearly
state to the American labor movement that the A. C. W. of A. is cJsas-conscious eooexn

to go on record and declare Itself In favor of the Socialist Party? 1 trust thai ito
delegates here will realise the spirit and sentiment throughout the membership of
realisation and will vote for this resolution one and all. (Applause.)

Delegate WOLF: Mr. Chairman and Delegates: i don't think that w« ought
to take up too much time on the question of this resolution. While It may be all
for a delegate to bring up a revolution of this kind, I feel. Mr. Chairman i
that we have been doing everything that any local union anywhere in the country
do when the campaign was on. It Is not at all necessary to pass a resolution at this
.. to say that we endorse the Socialist Party. We consider ourselves all
me a radical organisation, and our local unions have done everything they could
in times of campaign. At this time especially It is not at all necessary aad It is not
wise. 1 don't want to discuss it. While I am a member of the party, ye: 1 don't believe
that we ought it a Jabcr organization at this time, an organization

If a resolution of &'.« kind U introduced, it means that we doubi that our
are supporting the party. I don't doubt at all that our members are
the party and I believe that It is not necessary to bring up a resolution of
Our membership on the East Side of New York has practically elected the
of the Socialist Party, and it is not necessary for us at this time to go on
endorsing the Socialist Parly. It is not wise at this time, not because Brother Gold
believes that he is not In accord with the party. 1 would agree with him if he had
another party, but has not got It

Delegate GOLD: I beg your pardon: (Laugh*

Delegate WOLF: I beg to be excused. I would ask Delegate Upsln to withdraw
that resolution. We are working for the party anyway, and it Is not necessary to lose
m«- l wish that Delegate Upsln would withdraw that resolution aad let m
work for the party as we did without the resolution. (Applause,)

.KVINE: A point of Information. Is not that Iccorporated la the
preamble of our organisation?

President HIM. MAN: That Is just what Brother Wolf has mentioned That it
Is superfluous, because we have practically accepted the philosophy of Socialism In the
preamble of our organisation The motion to: -Whereas, the Socalist party

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

in hand with our organization, therefore be it Resolved, that we endorse, officially,
the Socialist I

Delegate RABKIN of Montreal: I move to amend that this resolution be referred
to the committee for further consideration.

This was seconded.

President HILLMAN: I wish to say to the delegates that this resolution is placing
the organization in a position of embarassment. It has been explained that the orga-
nization has in each case supported and worked hard for the Socialist Party, even
those who are not members have cooperated in all the campaigns. I am now asking
the delegates, is It fair to force everyone, however few the opposing members may be,
to an absolutely official endorsement on behalf of the national organization? Why force
your views on them? What i the motive behind it? Still, we could not possible afford
to vote down this resolution because that might be interpreted by some people — the
opponents of Socialism — that the A. C. W. of A. is in opposition to the Socialist Party.
This is why I feel that the amendment to refer it back to the committee to bring
in a report that will express the views of the convention as a whole should be supported
by the delegates. The vote lb on the amendment

Delegate WOLF: May T ask the privilege for the delegate who drew up the
resolution to take the resolution back, so that he can modify it?

President HILLMAN: When a resolution has been already up for discussion on
the floor it is the property of the convention. (Applause.)

Delegate WOLF: Mr. Chairman, if the maker of the resolution desires to modify
It with the consent of the convention I don't see why you should object.

President HILLMAN: The delegate has a right to have this re-worked when it is
handed in for reconsideration, if the convention decides to have this referred back to
the committee.

The amendment to refer It back to the committee was unanimously carried.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATION
By Delegate Alex. Cohen, Chairman.

RESOLUTION NO. 97, ON A WOMAN ORGANIZER, BY LOCAL 120, LOUISVILLK.

Whereas, the city of Louisville, Ky.f has about five hundred people employed in
the clothing industry, and

Whereas, as a result of the last strike the organization has succeeded in organizing
about 50 per cent, of the workers in the industry, and

Whereas, more than 60 per cent of the workers of the industry are women,
therefore be it

Resolved, that a woman organizer be placed by the General Office in the city of
Louisville, Ky., to assist Local 120 in organizing 100 per cent in that city.

I. J. STRIZOVER, Local 120.

The committee has decided to refer it to the General Executive Board for imme-
diate action.

President HILLMAN: You have heard the report of the committee and the
recommendation to refer it to the General Executive Board. Are you ready for the
question?

The recommendation of the committee was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 95, ON ORGANIZER FOR NEW ENGLAND, BY DELEGATE
ZORN.

Whereas, In view of the fact that the New England States have large factories
making all kinds of clothing and ignoring union conditions of cities where unions are
strong, be it

Resolved, that an organizer be placed in the New England States immediately
by incoming General Executive Board.

FOR THE JOINT BOARD OF BOSTON,

Samuel Zorn.
The committee concurs in that resolution.

210

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

President HILLMA.N The commstee reports coocrrence You all beard the
roport of the committee; are 700 ready for the
The report of the committee

RESOLUTION NO. 94. ON ORGANIZATION OF CUSTOM TAILORS. BY
LOCALS SO AND 112. NEW YORK CITY.

Whereat, the mail order and custom trade to not completely nrjlilni fea New
York and Chicago, and

Whereas, the cutters ft mi custom ffantff TTiiken
coat makers are Dot organized In the mail order houses In

Resolved, that this contention go OB record In favor of
coat makers In all mall houses In New York aad Chicago; be It further

Resolved, that organisers be put on Immediately to start an
palgn In New York and Chicago In order to organise the mail order trade and
tailors.

LOCALS 161 AND SO. CUSTOM TAILORS' UNION.

Morris Rosenblatt. Secretary. Local Itl.
Wm. Cohen. Secretary. Local MX

The committee recommends that this be referred to the General EiecitlM Board.
The recommendation of the committee was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 93. ON ORGANIZING THE SHIRTMAKERS. BY LOCALS

148 AND 153. NEW YORK i'HILADKU'

Whereas, there are scattered throughout the United States and 'Ytttft some
€0,000 unorganized shin and boys' waist workers, and

Whereas, the two organised Shirt and Boys' Waist Local Unions of New York
and Philadelphia are strongly affected by this unorganised labor, and

Whereas, the present time is the most favorable for the organization off the
unorganised shirt and boys' waist workers, be it

Resolved, that a general organization campaign be started among the shirt and
boys' waist workers in the United States and Canada; be It also

Resolved, that each local union of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
represented at the convention, start activities among the shin and boys'
workers In its city; be It further

Resolved, that the members of the General Sxecutlve Board and tl
Officers be Instructed to do their utmost towards organizing the shirt and
waist workers.

The committee recommends concurrence in this resolution.

The recommendation of the committee was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 89. ON ORGANIZING THE CUTTERS OP BALTIMORE. BY
LOCAL 15.

Whereas, the cutters of Baltimore City, affiliated with the Amalgamated OoUIng
Workers of America, are having trying times in their efforts to bring the balance of the
cutters and trimmers into our organization, and

Whereas, the manager of the Baltimore City District Council having the boat part

of his time taken up with the task of securing better conditions and klgasf wagea

•• members In order to meet the high cost of living for the workers, therefore be k

Revolved, that this convention go on record as Instructing the Prsslimn to place
as many organisers as may be necessary in the city of Baltimore to have a 104 per
cent Amalgamated organisation in that •

A A ROM FBLDMAN.

The committee recommends that this be referred to the General Eaooettto Board

Unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 81. ON ORGANIZING THE CLOTHING WORKERS Of CHICAGO.
BY LOCAL 61

Whereas, the City of Chicago la a rscogiised clothing center of the United

211

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Whereas, a great many of the clothing workers of Chicago are still unorganized
to the detriment of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, and

Whereas, the Chicago organization has made several heroic efforts to bring all
the clothing workers under the banner of the Amalgamated, and

Whereas, the members of the Chicago organization were at all times ready,
anxious and willing to dedicate their time, money and energy to organization purposes,
and

Whereas, the Chicago organisation has conducted and, to a great extent, financed
two great strikes, the money coming out of the pockets of the Chicago members
gave willingly and unselfishly, and

Whereas. Chicago has a v.ays responded to the call of other cities in time with
financial support, and not in'requently with moral aid, and

Whereas, Chicago feels that the psychological moment has arrived to make another
supreme effort to organize tno workers, and

Whereas. It is absolutely essential to organize the city as a matter of self-preserva-
tion for the Chicago organization, and

Whereas, Chicago has to reckon with a clothing manufacturers' association which
controls the destinies of the <mmense army of unorganized workers, be it therefore

Resolved, that we, the members of Local 61, A. C. W. of A., assembled at a
regular and special meeting at 409 South Halstead Street, Chicago, recommend to the
Third Biennial Convention of the A. C. W. of A. that every effort should be made
to lend moral and financial aid to the Chicago organization to assist it in organizing
the city.

LOCAL 61, CHICAGO,
F. Petrick,
S. Geier,
J. Kroll.

The committee recommends concurrence in this resolution.
Unanimously adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. 14, ON DISTRICT FORM OF ORGANIZATION, BY LOCAL 63,
NEW YORK CITY.

Be It Resolved, that this convention orders the incoming General Executive
Board to establish a district form organization for the cities and towns where the
organization has not full control, and that a responsible man from the General Office
should be in charge of all the work pertaining to organizing said districts. District
organization should be mapped out as follows:

Western New York District should include: Utica, Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester.

Middle Western District: Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Salem, Akron, Colum-
bus, Youngstown.

Northwestern District: St. Louis, St. Paul, Milwaukee.
Canadian District, No. 1: Montreal, Winnipeg.
Canadian District No. 2: Hamilton and Toronto.

The committee recommends that this be referred to the General Executive Board
for consideration.

President HILLMAN: The motion is that the resolution be referred to the
Incoming General Executive Board.
There was no objection.
Unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 41, ON ORGANIZER FOR CLEVELAND, BY LOCAL 112,
CLEVELAND.

Whereas, an organization campaign has been started in Cleveland two years ago
to build up a strong union of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers in that city, and

Whereas, to accomplish this difficult task in Cleveland, where we have to contend
with powerful manufacturers, who have bitterly and steadily fought and opposed
every move of the workers to organize, and

Whereas, some of these manufacturers have so-called union shops controlled by
the United Garment Workers of America, whose members are forced to work for

212

.BALTIMORE CONVENTION

low wages and under miserable conditions so that they can sell the label and claim
that they have organised shops, and

Whereas, in order to change this state of affairs and to bring about an
tion which would strive to Increase the wages of the
working hours and generally Improve working condition* it is at
begin a general organising campaign among the workers of this city which. If
In proper spirit and with proper assistance from the General Office,
be successful In establishing a strong union of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers in
the ( ieveland.

Whereas, about 76 per cent of the workers In our industry are Bohemians, who
can beat be reached by men of their own nationality, therefore be ii

Resolved, that we. the members of the United Tailors of Cleveland. Ohio. Local
111. request that the Third Biennial Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
Union of America grant their request and send to Cleveland one Bohemian and one
Italian organiser and give us such other sssistsnce aa would be necessary to effectively
condu sanitation work in Cleveland.

RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE.
Abraham Victor.
Harry Vldre.
Louis PUch.

We recommend reference to the General Executive Board for
e ration

There was no objection.
Unanimously carried.

UsVOLUTION NO 6»;. ON OKI; AN;/.IN<; THK OLOTHOfQ \NUKKKH~ IN . •. .:•
TOWNS. BY BALTIMORE DELEOAT!

Whereas, it has been the tendency of some clothing manufacturers of this city
and other cities to establish tailoring shops in country towns In their effort to as cap •
the Influence of the Amalgamated, therefore be it

Resolved, that this convention Instruct the Incoming General Executive Board
and its officers to exert all efforts to organize the workers In

II. Elsen. Local 114

yftal. Local 3«
Bartos, Local ft.
A. Feldman. Local IS
Sam Baasin. Local 241.

The committee recommends concurrence In this resolution.
Unanimously adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. 106. ON ORGANIZATION OP CANVAS AND PADMAKERS, BY
DELEGATE BRAND. NEW YORK

Whereas, the canvas and padmakers In the City of New York are organised 1043
per cent and enjoy union conditions, and

Whereas, in the cities throughout the United States the canvas and padatakers
are not organised, and

Whereas, they are an Important factor in the trade, therefore be It

Resolved, that we start a campaign to organise the canvas and padmakers all
over the United States and Canada.

PHIL. BRAND. Loci 1M.

The committee recommends concurrence.

Unanimously adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. 45. ON ORGANISATION WORK IN CANADA, BY CANADIAN
DELEGATION.

Resolutions accepted by the Joint Board and endorsed by the locale of
Taking Into consideration the conditions of the tailoring trade of Montreal, also the

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

abnormal condition of the tailoring industry in the Dominion of Canada at large, and
the urgency to have the entire trade organized by efficient leaders, the General Office
should always be in touch and, in close relation with all the Canadian locals, therefore
be it

Resolved. 1. That two general organizers be assigned for a three-month organiza-
tion campaign to organize all the tailors in the trade, and one of the two should be
Brother Madanick.

That Brother Madanick should also be appointed as general organizer of the
Dominion of Canada and should concentrate his activities in the Dominion of Canada.

S. That the entire Dominion should be represented in the General Executive Board
by a member nominated by the representatives of the Canadian locals of the con-
vention

4 And we also express our desire that the convention should instruct the incoming
General executive Board that the latter should have the first sitting in Montreal.

JOINT BOARD OF THE AMALGAMATED CIOTHING
WORKERS OF AMERICA.

Frank White, Local 209.

Albert Wells, Local 116.

E. Rabkin, Local L'77

We recommend reference to the General Executive Board.
Unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 16, ON ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN, BY LOCAL 63, NEW YORK

In view of the fact that in the last convention of the A. C. W. of A., held in the
city of Rochester, N. Y., a resolution was passed by the convention to establish a
department with power to do organization work among the women wage workers in
our industry;

In view of the fact that the women have been politically emancipated in many
states of the Union, yet we find that there is a feeling among the members of our
organization not to give necessary importance to bringing women workers into our
organization, be it .therefore,

Resolved, that we, delegates of Local 63, hereby declare that such a position
held by our members is reactionary and not progressive

This convention orders to establish: first: a women's department in charge of
a competent woman organizer with full power and the co-operation of the General
Office; Second: said department shall use every educational means pertaining to
organization work among women; Third: that permanent women organizers be placed
on the organization staff throughout the country.

We recommend that this be referred to the G. E. B. for immediate consideration.

President HILLMAN: You have heard the recommendation of the committee.

Unanimously adopted.

President HILLMAN: Does that complete the report?

Delegate COHEN: Brother Chairman, this completes the report of the Organiza-
tion Committee.

President HILLMAN: Then they stand honorably discharged.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF RESOLUTIONS.
By Harry Cohen, Chairman.

RESOLUTION NO. 107, ON A CHARTER FOR THE DRIVERS' UNION, BY N. Y.
DELEGATES.

Whereas, the Clothing Drivers' Union is an essential factor in the tailoring
industry, and

Whereas, they give more strength to the Union by their being united with the
New York Joint Board, and

Whereas, the New York Joint Board has officially recognized the Clothing Drivers'
Union and permitted its delegate to represent that organization in the Joint Board,
thcreiore be it

214

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

Reaoived. that this convention goes) on record to five them foil
grant them a charter that will entitle them to all privileges of a local of the A
of A

Paul Arnone, T/^sjt (3.
Harry Oman. Children's

Trade Joint Bo*
Meyer Senter. Local 4

The comittee i inommisjii omicirrofjoe with the reeoluUon.
Preeident HILLMAN: Yon have heard the recommendation of the
The committee rinnmaenrts that the Clothing Drivers' Union should be granted a
charter from this organisation. I beliere, though, that It would have
proper, in view of the fact that this Is an entirely new part of the industry, to

the O. B. B. 1 personally would like to have more information.
Delegate BBCKBRMAN: I move to amend that this be referred to the G B R
for action.

The amendment was carried.

REPORT OF THE LAW COMMITTEE.
By Delegate Abraham Miller. Chairman.

Delegate MILLER: I want to announce that Resolution No. St. which I ehali now
road, was withdrawn by the delegation of Local 2.

Whereas, an official of our organisation employes the name of the nuiilsnflen
in conducting the business of same.

Be It Resolved, that no official shall have the right to oee the title of the
organisation In conectlon with any personal or private interest.

BASTBRS AND TAILORS OF THE UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF
TAILORS. LOCAL 2. A. C. W OF A.

J
Harry

We have three different resolutions. Introduced by different local
they are the tame.

RESOLUTION NO. SO. ON MEMBERSHIP IN THB O. B. B.. BY LOCAL S. N. T. CsTT.

Whereas, the General Executive Board of our International la the high eat autho-
rity In transacting the business of our organisation, and

hereae. the General Executive Board has the right to appoint orgaateers aad
pass judgment upon their work, be it

Resolved, that we recommend to the convention that the
w which consists of eleven members shall have no more than two paid
Is. the General President and the General

BASTBRS AND TAILORS OF THE UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF
TAILORS. LOCAL S. A, C. W. OF A.

J.
Harry

The committee recommends n on -concurrence with this resolution, with
Rappaport in the mlnlority. who Is for the resolution

The other two resolutions, before mentioned, are aa follows:

RESOLUTION NO. 90. BY DISTRICT COUNCIL NO. S. BALTIMORE.

the Baltimore Local Unions feel that the General
white the convention is not In seesion. for the rvaaiag of the
be It

Reaolved. that the Incoming General Executive Board shoald
of this organisation not paid by the General Office

BALTIMORE DELEGATION

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

RESOLUTION NO. 54, BY LOCAL 3. NEW YORK CITY

Whereas, it was the practice of this organization to have general organizers
serve on the executive board, and

Whereas, some general organizers as members of the General Executive Board
had to hear reports and pass judgement on their own activities, and

Whereas, we feel that this is not a democratic and healthy state of affairs in
an organization, therefore be it

Resolved, that the General Executive Board should consist of members not serving
as General Organizers for our organization. In case of any of the General Executive
Board members joining the staff of organizers of our General Organization a subs
should be provided at the convention to take his place.

LOCAL 3, A. C. W. OF A.
Alex Cohen,
S. Weinstein,
M. Golilin,
L. Revayel,
L. Nerenberg.

President HILLMAN: This and the other two resolutions propose a change in
the constitution which will prohibit our organization from nominating, voting for, or
electing to the G. E. B. brothers who are general organizers for the National Office.

The committee recommends non-concurrence. That is the report of the majo
The minority dissents. The minority recommends the concurrence. What is your
pleasure? The vote will take place on the minority report. Are you ready for the
question?

Delegate RIGER: Mr. Chairman and Delegates: Similar resolutions
introduced at the Rochester convention, and defeated. I believe that the run
report should be defeated at this convention, too, for the simple reason that it will
bar active men in the movement, who are best fitted for the Organization, from
being a member of the Board. I believe that the delegates will vote against the
minority report, and for the majority report.

Delegate RABINOWITZ: I am heartily in favor of the minority report — that no
paid official should be in the G. E. B., not only from the democratic standpoh.
from the business standpoint. I am in favor of that for the simple reason that if the
B. will not be of paid officials, and if the organizers are going to be responsible
to the G. E. B. they will have much more efficiency, they will have much more
responsibility. I don't doubt the honesty of the G. E. B., but they are in a very
peculiar position. When organizers come together, both the G. E. B. and organizers
give a report of what they have done. They are in a position where their work is
.ed. They cannot criticize an organizer if he is a G. E. B. member. Let us
take, for instance, the stenographer. If the stenographer is going to be a G. E. B.
member, he will not have so much responsibility as if he would not be a G.
member. It is the same with everyone, and I appeal to all delegates to vote for it.

Delegate BECK I : I want to say that naturally I have great sympathy,

great feeling in this case, with the minority report, for the reason there is no question
about it, but it seems more democratic, it seems more just, and it seems more
logical that a body of men, organizers, should be responsible to those not only who
are not paid officials, but particularly to those who are absolutely uninfluenced.
From a democratic viewpoint, that is perfectly proper and perfectly right. But the
unfortunate thing in this case is that as a practical measure it is an absolute blunder,
this report of the minority. After all, in what position are our people who are not
paid officials, and are confined to the workshops, to judge of what work is required in
Montreal, or for Toronto, of what work is being done here, and being done there?
I am not one of those who want to put a premium on brains. I am not one of those who
want to confine a man's activities to one particular thing, and prevent him from
using his brains wherever they can be used. I am very sorry to say that, as fine
an organization as we are. we are not yet overburdened with a very extraordinary
number of very intelligent people. We have our proportion. We have a larger propor-
tion in comparison to other organizations. But we have not yet developed sufficient talent
to meet the needs of a revolutionary class conscious labor organization. If happens that a
good many men who are suitable for organization work are also suitable for executive
-k !t happens that a man who puts in all his time in the organization, is in a
position to know more about the organization, and is therefore more competent to be

216

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

an eiecutive. That is a fact. As far as being responsible to coacera+d. if I were aa

organizer, and 1 wanted to get away with it. 1 would not want to be responsible to

the o.l i would want to be responsible to a Dumber of mea

coming from tbe workshops wbo would know nothing at an about my work. You

and less safeguards when you have men. however eiaecre.

who know little about the situation, little about the general activity of the organisation,
to paas upon the work of men who are doing the work of the organisation. I have
the greatest sympathy with tbe minority report, but I realise that, la the eealk*
between theory and practice, we have got to drop this particular theory for the
general welfare of the organization. (Applause.)

Delegate GOODMAN: If I am not mistaken. Brother
before that the men wbo are working In tbe shops, tbeee men not only
but tht-y feel thHr oppression, and therefore they alone can be the
of themselves. I want to ask Brother Beckerman where do we get our

;.ot from tbe shops? Do you mean to say that If a man la
shop today, and Is getting paid aa an operator, or preaaer. or tailor, be knows leaa than
tbe general organ i • here do you get tbe general organiser from. If not from

among men who are developed In the shop? 1 say that we always must have control
over men who are working for the organization, wbo are working for tbe welfare of
tbe working class. Even some of our prevent organisers. If they would be b

would still remain general organisers. In order that tbe people should nave
faith In our organisation, that we »hou!d not develop tbe same thing as we bad before.
we must protect ourselves. We cannot afford to rebuild our organisation again and
again. We have built up an organisation with the spirit that everybody is sattttodL
We must keep up with the spirit, and protect our organization.

Delegate FRIEDMAN: A remark was made here a little wblle ago TO tbe effect
that we want the organizers on tbe same level as tbe stenographer*. Well, you mlgbl
aa well include janitors and everything else. Tbe organisers come from tbe abopa.
says Goodman. Certainly, they don't come from anywhere esta, Bat.

according to his viewpoint, and the resolution of tbe minority, ss soon as a BMW lea vat
the shop, and becomes a general organlr*r. bis loyalty, his spirit, and all that was
was good In him while he was In the shop, immediately flies ou: I think . would
be a pretty poor organization if this mere true. This resolution waa bromgbt la
because <•' disagreeable things we bad in the former organisation. I say this

is no good reason. The Chinese 5.000 years ago tried electricity, and made a
of it. It does not say that we nave got to adandon it Because It was not
somewhere else, there is no reason why we should put handicap* on this

• nnore. so long as you have the irembershlp vote upon everybody, so
there la a referendum vote taken, you havo absolute democracy. If
be elected at this convention, you would say It is not democratic. But the

. and every official, is elected by referendum. I say yon
punish a man because he Is willing to be a general organiser. Not everybody la oar
or** ni ration— and I know the national organ! tat ion baa tried to got
willing to be an organiser. Because a man Is willing to accept an
you immediately put him in the criminal class. Don't put a migma on him. I
that if tbe minority report Is adopted it will dampen the spirit of our
and win positively put a handicap on a man or a woman when accepting the
position of organiser.

Delegate ALEX COHEN- I feel that in this case we may easily run to tbe
me of the ridiculous. I want first to overcome a few difficult I** broagbt oat
by my good friend. Delegate Beckerman. Delegate Beckerman is
to know, when the O. E. B. convene* and there la a group not acquainted
has been done here and there, bow they will act? First of all.
the President of tbe organization, la supposed to know what is
there and everywhere, and I hope he does know, and we know that bo
that. Brother Scbloasberg la quite acquainted with tbe work of
If there is something of much Importance, a telegram for 2Sc will inform s certala
organizer to appear and report on tbe situation ta Canada, or Montreal, or in New
(Applause) It is true that we need good men. But I said two yean ago. and
I do repeat it here, that we don't deprive tbe organisation of the eerrtcos of good saoa by
the fact that we don't want them to be G. E. B. members I think that all organism try
to serve us in the capacity of organlsera. In tbe beat capacity that they are nepabls of.
but. when it comes to the administrative part of th* organisation. It to not more than
fair and just that men of the various parts of tbe country should come there and

11?

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

listen. Just as you. delegates, are listening today to what has been done for two years.
The delegates come here and discuss vital problems of the organization. We discuss
them because we are sensible men. We listen to questions, to reason, and then w«
give our opinions. I think it should be done the same way at the G. E. B. meeting.
You know what respect the G. E. B. enjoys, together with the President and the
Secretary. Discussing the resolution we have not in mind any one of the personnel
that constitutes the G. E. B. today. But I think it is a more democratic form, a
as a more practical form, of organization to have men to come there to listen to reports.
Why, the Board of Directors, which is the administrative body in th. < ity of New
York, consists of 7 or 8 or 11 men. who do not know exactly what Is being done in
every shop, but they have men who are informing them, and they pass Judgement
accordingly. So I feel, even if I have to put myself out of a Job, that the minority
report, as it has been reported to you, should be accepted by this convention.
(Applause.)

Delegate GEIER: It is true that people who are doing important work for the
Amalgamated should have some overseers — somebody who should pass Judgement as
to whether their work is right or wrong, as to whether they are fit for the Job. But
it happens that these organizers— and I speak from years of experience — are men and
women who have been raised in the workshop, who have had their experience, either
from the board or from the machine, and have made good in their field. These
people are appointed as organizers for the only reason that they have the ability,
the experience, to deal with a situation that may arise anywhere. The fact that the
members have a right to vote for or against these men is sufficient democratic safe-
guard. I am satisfied that there is no member of the G. E. B. who is not able, and
who has not in the past shown that he knew his duties. Therefore, I think that
the general organizer Is, if anything, more preferable for a general executive board
member, for no other reason than he is experienced. The men and women who have
been in the shops for years, who have been very active locally, no doubt, still have
not the same knowledge of the country as the people who travel from city to city, and
see the conditions, and understand the differences between one city and another.
What is going on in the City of New York is not going on in the City of Chicago, and
the same with Baltimore. So I say that the minority report should be voted down,
to preserve the efficiency of the A. C. W. of A. (Applause.)

Delegate ARNONE: I wish to state the other side of the case. They are telling
us how they are going to run the organization if this motion is adopted. I am really
surprised that my good Comrade Goodman has forgotten the elementary teaching of
a radical union, and the Amalgamated is supposed to be a radical organization. I
know this much, anything that is done by the convention has to be passed upon by
a referendum. Experience has shown us for the last four years that everything that
has been done by the convention baa been O.K'd by the members, and no local union
has as yet recommended a referendum to recall any man who has been put on the
General Executive Board. I say if you have anything to say, here is the place, today.
Don't beat around the bush. I want to be shown. And if you think anyone of the
Board members is trying to put something over on the membership, I want to know
IT I don't understand what is the matter with some of our radical comrades and
members of the organization. You know full well that this is 1918. and the members
are running the organization today. The people at the head of the organization, who
bear the responsibility, are not the kind of men that you have had in the Bible House.
I, for one, defy everybody to show that any officer does not deliver the goods. I
wish that our members, when they go back to their locals, especially the Jewish
members, should take this notion out of their heads, that if a man leaves the shop
and becomes a paid officer of the organization, they must Jump on him. Therefore,
this resolution should be voted down. I hope and trust that two years later, when
we meet again, the same G. E. B. will be here, and will continue delivering the goods
the way they have in the past. Applause.)

VOICE: Previous question.

President HILLMAN: The Chair win not entertain a motion for previous question
until the question is thoroughly discusse ! This question is of great importance, and
should be discussed fully.

Delegate HARRY COHEN: I am v ry much surprised to see a resolution that
organizers should not be on the G. E. B. If a resolution calls for a change in the
constitution I think it is not more than right to show that what we have now is a
failure. What do we see? We see that our organization as it has been organized for

218

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

the last four years has been a wondsrfil MBBMS. We CUM here wtu a

we are not ashamed of. The prate la talking obooi na. Everybody to envying as.
and the only thanks you are going to five to the people who are on the G. E. B

>u performed your duty, and now. when you have done yoar beet to
make this organisation a success, yon will please stay home; wa don't «aat you

k that a reaolutlon of that kind wonld «lli •!••«!•

against active members of this organisation. 1 wiU cite to you an tM*— rt M>
friend. Brother Alex Cohan, spoke in favor of the resolution 1. for one. think tnat
it would be a crime to enforce such a resolution so that my friend. Brother Alex
Cohen, should not be on the O. E. B. (Laughter and ippliam) Casjsldir It. and
you will see that there is no reason for it Hut It Is the old. old bobby of picking
and picking and picking on paid officials, where there la no reason. With all dae
reaper* - President and Secretary. 1 think it is no more than ngnt tb.

give them a O. E. B.. who should know what la going on in the Industry We want
ibers of the O. E. B. to deliver the goods, and do the work. (Applause.)

EI8EN: Governments where the cabinets are not

government, are called autocratic, and we are ready to shed our blood to
a democratic government out of an autocratic government. Tat In oar
organization, we are ready to have the executive officers, or. rather.
cabinet members, also the legislators. In other words, they are u
responsible to themselves. Are we going to do it? I think not. Brother Harry
said that the past experience has shown us that our general
done splendid work. It is true. 1 adult It. 1 admit that the G. E. B of the
mated has done splendid work. Yet. I don't forget that, four years ago.
organization campaign was carried on by the very same G. E. B against oar
the United Garment Workers, the issue of the day was that the organisers
responsible to anybody but themselves, (Applause.) I think that If we wait until
the G. E. B. will be of such a nature that will ruin the organisation. It will then be
too late to make amendments to the constitution. It will then be neceasary to form a
new Amalgamated, if we wait too long. Now. while we are young, now. while we nave
a very good hand to make laws, to suit our own selves, to make lawe to soft the
general membership, now U the time to frame a constitution so tnat the nijsilsaliaa
may remain as democratic and ss successful as It has been In Use past. Applause >

Delegate REVAYLE: For the second time I have the opportunity to
behalf of the G. E. B. I have all respect for every one of yea. officers Tbere Is
not the slightest thing to be said against you. You have performed your duty. You
did all you posslblby could for the Amalgamated. But. when you spaa
racy. I want to understand what democracy means? It is that each and
judges. We have no objection against all those organisers, bat I claim
should be governed by the Executive Board, as well as the local officer* by Use
Board or the District < It Is true that at this time our officers are of the

Hut. looking at the past and we ought to look at the past, or we wUl
ahead, we must profit by the mistakes made than. For tnat very reason.
to provide laws to protect ourselves that, not this executive board, but
boards of the future, may not do the same thing that was done four years age We
cannot afford to rebuild our organisation every few years. It took us
years, more than 25 years, to build up an organisation. For this vary
brought in the resolution. It U democratic. And I therefore ask you, delegates, to
vote for the minority report. (Applause.)

Secretary Schlossberg here took the chair.

DELEGATE KROLL: I have listened very attentively to what baa beam
there is only one thing that I found, and that is the fact that they don't
izers to report to themselves. If we look the situation straight la the
question arises, "Do the organisers report to themselves?** As the minority
it. it wants none but unpaid officers to be on the executive board, bat your
Secretary and your President. If you have no paid officers on the Board
two highest officers. I say that you are doing nothing bat placing In the
your two highest officers absolute control. There la no aquation about It. A
working In the shop, where he must work If he to not a paid officer, does net
and cannot know th.- conditions throughout the country Instead of sprsndt
over eleven members, you are simply placing the responsibility to tne hands of
I would say that your organisers, who are O. E. B. msmbsrs. nave I
first and they have been elected by your general membership to tne O. E. B.

tit

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

wards. Take the thing In that light, and it is simply a natural development. There
is one feature in this we don't want to overlook, and that is the lack of material in
your organization. If you pass this minority report, you are simply going to lose
what capable brains we have.

Delegate WOLF: I am sorry that I will not be able to say all in five minutes,
and I know that the Chairman is very democratic — that when the four Mnmr.fs
will be up, he will rap. You have heard Delegate Revayle, who is the Chairman
of the Board of Directors of the Joint Board of New York, speak here in such an
enthusiastic way. and speak only in the name of democracy. I would like to know
whether there is a way to explain that word democracy. I am puzzled all the timr

we speak of democracy. We have actual democracy, he says, Alex Cohen says,
in the Board of Directors of the New York Joint Board. I would like to know
how many decisions the Board of Directors of the New York Joint Board made
contrary to the report of its officers, who are paid officers. Not one, ;•> my ;
edge. They always discuss and agree. You speak of taking the organizer and dis-
criminating against hi:. had th <>i>p<»rt unity to speak about organizers. At

General Executive Board meeting we have been searching for them throughout
the country. Money was no object. Get them! We need them, but we cannot
find them! Wl o is the organizer? The best man that we possibly can get in the
organization. If he is the best man in the organization that is willing to go out
and organize the clothing workers, why is he not fit to be a G. E. B. member?
:*e you happen to pay him a salary? If a man is not lit to an office, he is not
fit. whether paid or not paid. That is my understanding of an officer. If Delegate
Eisen thinks that the G. E. B. members who are paid by General Office are not
democratic, but are autocratic, he thinks so because he may dislike some individual
on the Board, or someone else may dislike that individual. I say that there are
many who don'i agree with the doings of an o: ,: that does not mean any

more than this — that the man who disagrees has a right to disagree, but that does
not mean that he is at all right and correct. This proposition was not originated
for the purpose of saving the life of the organization. It originated out of personal
feelings and interpretations of work being done by certain individuals. I happen to
be fortunate enough not to be a General Organizer but Manager of the Joint Board,
and 1 am more free to discuss it. I say that instead of bringing in a resolution that
organizers, because they are paid, should not be on the G. E. B., you get busy and
recommend organizers to the G. E. B. to organize t!?e industry throughout the country.
You will by that be doing the organization more good than by taking the good man,
the man willing to do work, and putting him aside, because he is a paid <>
of the organization and a G. E. B. member. Today it seems that there is something
s not honorable. I assure you that I will not hold an office in any
organization that is not considered honorable. I happened to be in Boston a year or
two ago. The Boston delegates know what we found there. I was with them for
four or f: . I lived with them. It was the most critical time. Did the

Boston members find anything wrong because I was a direct representative of the
General Office and also a General Executive Board member?

VOICE:

President HILLMAN: The time is up. (Great Applause)

VOICE: I move that we extend him five minutes more. (Applause)

President HILLMAN: Is there any objection?

There was no objection, and the motion was carried.

Delegate WOLF: I am not here to agitate for It because I am a G. E. B. member.
I am not interested in it from that point of view. Having had actual experience
in the G. E. B., I know that there are people on the Board today, and there may be
people on the Board after this convention adjourns, who will have to be forced
to become paid officials of the General Office, not because we want it, but because
we cannot get enough outside to do tbe work that is necessary. We have officials
with us today who are representing the New York Joint Board, and Brother Hillman
and Brother Schlossberg pleaded with them— "Accept the position as an organizer;
we need you. we must have you." Th» y were not willing at all to do it, and they
have not done it. They did not plead with them because they liked them. They
pleaded with them because they knew that they needed them and they must have
thorn. What would become of a good man who is on the Board if we were to accept
the proposition before us not to be a C. E. B. member because he is a paid official?

220

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

1 would not accept the beat paid organisershlp for the O.K. B. 1 would rather
remain In the G. B. B. and not be an organizer than remain an organizer and not

9 Board. • •• inherited. 1 think, the spirit of some of your

You don't like your paid officials That la mighty wrong. The Idea

iple are wrong. If you «p«*ak for democracy, don't take my right of
away because you pay me wafts -til. I have as much right to be

with an offlc» general organization as any one else, whether paid or not

against it. not because I say so. but because the proposition is not for the heat
interests of the organization. (Great applause).

Delegate WISE: What I want to know Is this: In case paid omotolt will mot

ve Board, will that stop the organizers from doing their

ire great, they will make their work still greater.

Hui the thing Is this: Some of us are afraid that we will not be able to have
able .si Executive Board. Is not Miller a fit man to bo la the

General Executive Board by being a paid official in the local? Is not Gold an able
man? Are not certain men of Chicago fit to be on the Board? Are not certain
men of Hochestcr fli to t <loes not stop the work of the gsjural

organizers, and I don't see why they are afraid of It. Brother Wolf asked whether
the Board of Directors does not approve of his report. They do. In case they will
disagree, they will show why they disagree. You always must bring in a report.
Delegate Beet man. told us the proportion is all right la principle

t>ut not in pr. of Republicans In your district are telling you. they are

Socialists In , but they w&nt you to vole for the Republican Part-

•ae sny crime !n tin- resolution. 1 don't see where it will take away the
right of any organizers to do great work In the organization. (Applause).

Board Member ROsi M: It is rather an unpleasant task for m« to get

into this proposlth •• reason that 1 am one that is affected, but I am taking

• •sMon that 1 don't expect to be affected. I am expecting

to work • •• Sam by the time anything like this may go into effect, and

for that reason I think 1 can speak without personal motives. I want to say first that
this principle of no organiser being on the General Executive Board is hailed as a
radical measure. I claim It Is nothing of the son. The reason it is claimed aa a
radical measure is because the progressive element In the • W.. la their

i>t to rid the organization of the corrupt leaders, advocated this measure aa a
means of gelling rid of ihem. Because of your experience In the United Qsinsat
Workers, this thing has been Intn -<i the A"»ftlgTnn«!+il It Is one of the

things we inherited from them. snd. unfortunately, we are suffering from It Tour
B. is not corrupt and this measure Is not necessary now. The General
Executive Board theoretically is supposed to be composed of the moat able la our
organization— mark you. theoretically, i say. They may not be. but they are sup-
posed to be. By the very rule here, you will deprive your moat able in the
zation. doing national service for the organ rom being In the

ra they can do greater service. It Is all right to come here and say.
ahou; ; ort to themselves because they are not responsible.- The

are responsible. Let any G. EL B. member go Into a locality and let that
Qnd fault with him. You will hear It quick enough In the country. Protest* will
come In. He Is responsible first to your International Officers, your President and
Secretary; second to the general membership, and thai is true with every G. E B.
member or general organizer. Brother Wolf stated It well. The officers hai
way. even urn! r the present G. E. B. In a national situation a G. E. B.
under ihe proposed law would be dummies. They could noi know what to
on throughout the country. If they wished. They would have to

President and the Secretary said. By your action you would make
and Secretary absolute autocrats In your crgnnlzatlon. Under the
lions, your Executive Board Is composed of men of influence, people who have
element of control in the organization, whose opinion they must respect. The
way your Executive Board would be men without Influence whom your ofioon
choose to ignore without fearing consequences,

I say your Executive Board should be composed of men who are able to
who understand the Intercuts of the organization in the true sense of the
Is what you put them there for. You put them there to he men of

IVP no influence, your organization will have no )e«d<»rsh!|
ship In your organization. It Is all right to talk of democracy,
not necessarily spell the death of democracy. In democratic
must have leaders, as well aa any other organisation, if you are to get

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

and be successful. Vote down this resolution, because you want the best that is in
your organization on the Executive Board. And 1 say it not for personal reasons.
I don't expect to serve as organizer for the reason stated. (Applause)

Delegate POLAK: The only argument that was given for the majority
was that there will be discrimination against the organizers. I say that the purpose
of this resolution is not to discriminate against the organizers, but not to give
too much ito one hand. I think we all agree that there should not be too

much power in one hand. You all remember we criticize the United Ga
Workers. Not only did we criticise the persons who took the positions as orga

the Garment Workers, we also criticized the constitution, which served the
officers and we, therefore, changed the constitution. I don't see where the organi-
sation will be at a disadvantage by changing this point of the constitution.

Delegate CRYSTAL: The Baltimore organization has also introduced a re.
tion like the one of Local 2. 1 know that the Baltimore organization has absolutely
no fault to find with the present General Executive Board. There is no question

rsonalities as far as the members of the General Executive Board ar<
cerned. If anyone says that this resolution was brought in on account of dislike
of some men on the G. E. 13., he insults the organization that submitted the resolution.
I feel that this resolution is absolutely pure. There are absolutely no personalities
Involved in it. I feel when a General Organizer accepts his job, he should n<>: in-
promised a place on the General Executive Board. Brother Cohen made a correct
statement He feels that, even though he would be deprived from membership in
the G. B. B., this resolution ought to be accepted. And I think we ought to accept
it No General Organizers should be placed on the General Executive Board. You
are just simply monopolizing; you are just simply putting a gate down in the
front of the working class; just stating to the rank and file that you cannot go a
step further. "We, the organizers, must be the General Executive Board members,
and you cannot be, because you are not capable and cannot even get the oppor-
tunity to learn." (Great applause)

Delegate LEDERMAN: I do favor the Minority Report, and I will give you a
few of my reasons. Delegate lieckerman says that a man that is in the shop is
not as capable to represent us in the General Executive Board as a man that is a
Geneml Organizer. 1 don't agree with him. I think that a man who works at the
machine, a man who gives away his days and nights for the organization and for
the people in the shops, can represent the people on the General Executive Board
just as good as any organizer who represents them right now. This is my opinion,
Brother President. Brother Wolf tells us that there is a question of honor. Why
not give a little bit of honor to the people who work in the shops, and give up
their days and nights, and are willing to represent the organization. (Applause)

legate GOLDSTEIN of Philadelphia: The reason that the Amalgamated u
a success Is that it gave the people exactly the right principles, exactly the right
thing that did the people good. That is why they succeeded in getting the people
with them. That is why they succeeded in forming this organization, of which
we are all proud. As far as the General Board is concerned, I say that even If
you have a Board of the rank and file, not of general organisers, you are not sure
whether the people who will be elected on the General Executive Board will not
act in the manner which you are opposing now.

Delegate DIAMOND: I say that the General Executive Board, the officers that
you have right now, are the best that can be gotten. If you would not have these,
I don't think that we would have succeeded as much as we have. Some of the
delegates are afraid that there will come a time when the General Executive Board
with the officers will control everything. We will have to come to an Amalgamated
convention as we did in Nashville. I am not afraid of that, although I was a
delegate to the Nashville convention. I can see the spirit in the Amalgamated, and
I am not afraid that this will ever come. I believe that every individual here has
a right to run for the G. E. B. All of us have a right to run for anything. We are
all members of the Amalgamated. Let every one have a right to run and let the
referendum vote decide. Why are you afraid? Why do you have to come with
this to a convention at all? I believe that every one of us has a right to be a
candidate and you should not be afraid of it.

Board Member LEVIN: During the entire discussion on the resolution before
us, we heard a great deal about democracy. I am just as much an advocate of

222

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

as anybody else, but I don't like to deprive any
democracy which we desire for the body as a whole. The

•• laws depriving individuals of the benefits of democracy, you
very principle of democracy. The advocates of the resolution urge it
years ago in Nashville we found It ni pases ry to revolt Are we
conditions now as we faced in Nsshville? In Naahville a group of
there to legislate and denied duly elected delegates the right to
Olothlng workers. That was the actual situation in Nashville. In
convention would have elected the General Executive Board and the
large would not have anything to say. Are we under the
No. This convention nominates members for the General Executive
the members at large vote on thorn by referendum. By taking away the right of

ocause they are paid officers, you are committing a grave tmjoj
the first place, let us see who are the General Officers? Who are the

rs? Who are the paid officials? As it has been stated here, the host
the shops are chosen to represent thorn. Then It Is the Inagisiait of the
they make their selections. And good people have ambition, honor, aad 'pride.
Whoa you offend their pride they will refuse to serve. We want no member of the
Amalgamated to be deprived of bis rights, because his rights are your right*
clause)

Delegate BLUGERMAN: Mr. Chairman. 1 wish to speak for the minority. Some

or the delegate* are afraid that If the minority resolution is pnani there will
nobody on the General Executive Board. Ii seems to mo that they are
impression that besides a half dosen or a dosen organisers, or two dosea on
there will not be enough intelligent men in the different cities to be on the
Executive Board. They forget that in every town we have
of various boards, secretaries, presidents, executive board
are active and study the conditions in the factory and ouuide of the factory la
their town and ouuide of their town; and it seems to me that some of the mem sen
forget there will always be a few more members suitable and eligible for the G. E. B.
outside of those few of the General Executive Board who may he elected as General
Organisers And then, why go to the extreme? Don't you really think thai you
nd enough men In New York and Chicago and other places besides those few
organizers who will be on the General Executive Board aad not play the role of
dummies? Don't you think that th* Amalgamated— among the one
men and women organised, will find half a dosea men who wfll act on the
Executive Board not as dummies? AnU. mind you. I am not prejudiced
paid officials. I am a paid official myself, that is. local, and I weald net
becoming a paid official of the General Office,

Delegate WOLF: That is a good hint. (Laughter)

Delegat. ontinulng): Bo I say 1 have no

paid official, but at the same time 1 think that if I should be a
or wo should have another two dosen or three dosea of us, we still
plenty of level headed men to be on the General Board and judge
are doing. In conclusion. Mr. Chairman, do yon think the <
be outside of the G. E. R will cease serving the Amalgamated? As
they will be able always to be In touch with the General Executive
will always be able to be present at the General Executive Board
enlighten It whenever necessary (Applaues)

Delegate MILLER: I believe that this resolution la the result of
It I. the result of the absolute failure to realise the cause of the extet
Amalgamated. I want to ask the delegates, why Is It that in every other
we consider ourselves radicals, but when It comes to this proposition we only

It superficially, and we don't wsnt to go down radically and try to tad oat the
real cause. I say that It is not true that the cause of the esiintlihmont of the

Amalgamated was the fact that this man or that man waa mot honest or was
thing else. I say that th* cause of the existence of the amalgaaated todaj
that the United Garment Workers reprtsentsd everything that was dark, everything
that waa reactionary la the American Labor movement, aad the Amalgamated SB
representing something which is absolutely the reverie of what the United

-era was. This is the cause of the existence of the Amalgamated. I say
no matter how many laws we wfll •aha, they will not result la aaythim*.
that the people who have Introduced the resolution

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

that If we had not the support of the gallery in Nashville that the Amalgamated
would not have been in existence. I deny this. I say, whether we would have been
seated or not, the Amalgamated would have been here today, because of the fact
that the United Gacment Workers was proceeding from the premise that the
tailors could not be organized. And even if we would have been seated in Nashville.
the Amalgamated would have been here even if not under this name, because we
represent In the American Labor movement something that was told to you for four
consecutive days here. You have been listening to speechet . and every one of the
speakers emphasised this very fact, that we are something new in the American
Labor movement. And if we are new in the American Labor movement, i
believe we should create walls, Chinese walls, around ourselves out of fear of
our own existence. I say that this resolution is the result of a misconception. It
Is the result of the fa. we don't know the causes of our organization today.

Brother Goodman is afraid that we will have to rebuild the Amalgamated, if i
of the same opinion I would perhaps vote for the minority, but because I believe
in the strength, because I believe in the historic mission that the Amalgamated has
to perform. I am not afraid of a general organizer, who is doing the work for the
Amalgamated, on the General Executive U nplause)

Secretary SCHLOSSBERG: I hope you all realize that what we are discussing
now is only the right of a general organizer to be a candidate for the G. E. B. This
does not mean that the G. E. B. must consist of organizers to the exclusion of
non-organizers. It only means that the organizer has the same right to a nomination
as the member who is not an organizer. A number of delegates in opposition to
the majority report — that is, those opposing the right of the General Organizer
to run for the G. E. B. membership — , emphasized the fact that we are all perfectly
satisfied and highly pleased with the work of the General Executive Board until
now, but we don't know what they might do later. I heard a story of a man who
suddenly turned upon his child and shouted at him to shut up! "Why, I am not
saying anything," protested the child in amazement. "But you might," said the
enraged father. (Laughter)

You are perfectly pleased with what the General Executive Board has done for
the organization in the cour&e of three and a half years, and you agree that they
have proven their efficiency to your full satisfaction. After three and a half years
you turn on tham and say. "We don't want you because you might prove wrong."

Our experience with the United Garment Workers is being referred to. We
had to fight the administration because the General Executive Board was composed
of General Organizers. My friends, you don't know what you are fighting, if you
think that that was what you fought. The General Executive Board of the former
n was against the interests of the members, not because it was composed
of General Organizers, but because it was not elected by anybody, was not respon-
sible to anybody, and the rank and file could not exercise any control over it. The
same was true as regards the President and the Secretary. Yet you propose to
leave the President and the Secretary on the General Executive Board, while the
President and the Secretary are the ones that have real power, and the General
Executive Board members come to meetings only once in three months, and some-
times only once in six months. Their power is very limited. You are putting
the lock on the wrong door. We have now a system of election which makes a
repetition of the former experience impossible. The General Executive Board is
elected by the membership. Any member, who after his election proves to be
unfit to serve on the General Executive Board, may be withdrawn by a motion
initiated by the membership, or charges may be preferred by them and properly
tried. If found guilty he is excluded from the General Executive Board and some-
body else is elected in his place. You have that system, the very thing tha
asked for three years ago. and did not get, which was the cause of the split
in 1914.

Remember also this, that there is no rule that any organization may adopt that
will protect it from crooks, so long as the proper spirit is not there. If the
members have not sufficient intelligence and the proper spirit to watch the interests
of their organization, to keep their eyes open upon the activity of their officers,
you may adopt all the rules you wish, and none of them will be of any avail, because
the officers will do just as they please, whichever way they may be elected, or
whatever section of the organization they may come from. Do you know that as a
matter of fact we have no constitution today? Did it ever occur to you? Do

224

BALTIMORE CONVENT

you know that the constitution that we have has not been printed hsoiisi it to

no constitution? Yet all of us agree that we have

of us agree that we have made a great sac peas, and some of

minority report said that we have la these 2 1-2 years achieved

organizations have in 2ft years.

My friends, it to not the constitution that will win strikes far yon. or win

shorter hours for you. or keei eanlsatfen logetb. the spirit of the

organisation that keeps the organisation alive, that keeps the membership wid*avakn

and keeps the organisers and the General Officers and all represents tit as of the

•n conscious of the u everything they do to watched and to

being subjected to the sen he membership, whether It to done in a formal

legal manner, or Informal and illegal manner U U this that keeps ovr

organisation intact and keeps it itrong. If you want to provide yourself with * rule

now for the future, how can you tell juit what might be required a year from now?

ay be that this very rule. If you will accept It now. will be the very
that will play Into the bands of crooks? You don't know what conspiracy
be formed and in what way this rule might be played.

U has already been pointed out that the power really remains with the
officers, and . !>e membership of the O. E. B. to

people who are not In a position to follow up the work, the detailed work of the
organization, day In and day out. you will simply leave It to the General Officers.
If they choose to make use of the opportunity to turn the G. E. B. into a blind tool.
They will be a group of people who will have to take the word of the General
Officers and say "Yes" or "No" according to the wishes of thoss

Let me remind you of one little thing that I think ought to
for all labor organisations. In France. I am told, the words "Liberty.
Fraternity" are inscribed over the portals of every prison. Ask •
those prisons what liberty, equality and fraternity they enjoy. The
beautiful, but It has no meaning at all for the people Inside, ixcept
We have had demands at the Rochester convention, we have had
convention, and we will continue having demands st later
organizers, for a larger representation of women and a
and more effective organisation of women. We have been working hard, trying
to find proper persons fit to serve as organizers for women. We have one rapes
tentative of the women on the General Executive Board. That represents (
also acting In the capacity of General Organiser. 1 mention this one member
because she happens to be the only woman member of the General Executive
snd at present the only womsn organiser. But I ask you to forget the
Think of the situation. We have been trying hard to get more organisers A
women. You know that the women are backward in organisation. Yon
that we have still a great deal to do in order to educate the women to s
where they will be able to take care of their Interests, where they will
to furnish organisers. If this resolution to passed, it would mean that any
a position to be elected on the G. E. B. would not be eligible for
ship Aould deprive the women in our industry, you deprive th»

of an opportunity of having someone to serve ss a woman or- ..

Let me point out one more thing: It has been said here thai we have
the prejudice against officers from the former organization. It waa perfectly
for such , to exist there: the average officer was against the

of the membership. That prejudice we carried along with us. It Is about time far
us to be freed from It

You wish to deprive a General Organiser of the opportunity to serve 9* tan
ral Executive Board, because an organiser. If made a member of the
Executive Board, would have a right to paaa upon his own work Yon do.
leave the gate open for local officers to serve on the General Bxecvttve

give so little consideration to this mstter thst yon dont realise that the
work of the General Executive Board does not consist mainly la controlling tan
work of the general organisers. That to a very small part of the activity of the
General Executive Board. The General Officers, bet'
exercising such control, day In and day out. When the General
meets, it has very little to do with the work of the

•• Board concerns Itself mainly with the; work of

That constitutes the bulk of our work. We take up Chicago: we take op New York,
Philadelphia. Boston. Montreal and Toronto at our Board smttnts Yon

to
given an opportunity to the local officers, by allowing them to serve en the O. B. B,

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

to pass upon their own work at the General Executive Board meetings, the local
officers who compose the bulk of the organization staff, and you want to deprive
the general organizers of the opportunity to serve, though their share of the work
calls only for a small fraction of the attention of the General Executive Board. You
are doing the very opposite of what you intend to do. You take the work from the
hands of the general organizers for one reason and you give i of

local organizers who will exercise it and must, with the best Ise

it just in the very way that you don't want the General Organizers to exercise it.

Looking at the question from every angle, I say brothers and sisters — we have
equal suffrage in this organization — we have made our experiment; our experiment
has worked; all of you have testified to the efficiency of the General Executive
Board, to the effectiveness of its work; there is no immediate reason, nothing that
we can see that will improve the ell of the organization by depriving the

general organizers of an opportunity to run for G. E. B. membership. Don't make
changes now that are not called for. We make changes as we go along and as
conditions require. Conditions, you will all admit, those who favor the minority
report, do not call for the change just now. Let us go right ahead; let us not
lose a good man, if he is a General Organizer and if the rank and file wish to have
him on the General Executive Board, because he will be an addition and a
strengthening of the General Executive Board. Let us not deprive the membership
of the benefit of his cervices. And if there is a good man on the General Execir
Board who is not a general organizer, and who may happen to meet the require-
ments of the organization, who may happen to fit in better than others, let the
General Office have its hands free to call for that man's services if he is willing
to serve. If any general organizer is not wanted on the G. E. B., let the member-
ship decide it by the referendum vote. The great success of our organization was
made by the very fact that we have removed all restraints, that we have abolished
all red tape, that we have gone right ahead and worked, that we have not stopped
here and there and looked into the little book to see if there is a comma after
one word or a semi-colon after another word, and tried to find out from some
supreme court what the interpretation of this or that might be. We looked at our
policies; we looked at the requirements of the situation; we looked at the spirit of
the membership; with that we worked; with that we built up our organization and
attained success.

make no change now when conditions are such that we don't know what
we might be called upon to do tomorrow. Conditions all over the world are
such that something might happen tomorrow, as a result of the present situation,
that might call for the fullest services and co-operation of the greatest and of the
humblest in our organization. Put no hindrance in the way of anybody. We built
up a wonderful spirit. We have shown it most particularly in the course of this
convention. Let us do nothing that shall chill our spirit. Let us go ahead as we
have and continue our successful work. (Great applause)

President HILLMAN: I think that there was enough discussion on this question,
but I do feel that I would disappoint some of the delegates .speaking for the minority,
if I would not express my opinion at this time. You wish, those of you who support
the minority, to insure and safeguard democracy. Democracy must be protected,
and in this grave hour you bring the resolution that no man who is fit to be a
general organizer must be permitted to run. 1- :'.ie members elect him. Democracy
must be protected against itself— a new kind of democracy — democracy by elimina-
tion. Eliminate these people, and the other people, and then we can trust democracy
to have Its way. Those are very old policies, but they are new at labor conventions,
and they sound strange at a convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of
America.

Let us compare. There are organizations that have those rules in the clothing
industry. The Journeymen Tailors' Union of Ametica has that rule. Every
member of the Board works in the shop, — nay, not only in the shop, he works in
his bed room. And then they come once a month, not in three months, to lay out
the policies for the organization. I beg to submit to you delegates, the record of our
organization and compare it with the record of the Journeymen Tailors' Union.
I think it is not a question of the great danger confronting us. There are only
three members on the Board who are on the staff as general organizers, and whether
or not you place fortifications around the election of General Executive Board
members so that those people or a few more who may be nominated, cannot
be elected, the organization Is going to -survive. But the organization will be

226

BALTIMORE CONVENTION*

guided by A new spirit, the tptrlt of potty poUtica, the spirit of trying to
ourselves against merit.

Mr friends. I am ft believer la itmoenc?. I believe with all its faults, wfta
all iti mistakes. It is much better than autocracy. But democracy, la order to
saocoed. moat be efficient. It matt pot be hampered by all KliKlf of petty rules aad
regulations. You are not going to guard the organisation by thia add H toes! rule,

•>^fly of you haow about the rulea of our organisation?
In tho organisation. 1 tubmii. 1 don't know all the rulea, 1 don't

I ,!„

1 am not tryiag here to sway
will have no I

of the organisation fHttgi1*r > believe that oar organiiaiioa to
sjipriosloa of democracy at work, and It la because tho officers of the
have a groat deal of power, snd you cannot prevent mea of ability in

r. because, unless they do that, tho
it should make. The office
to come in. A delegate asks.
Give us those men, if they are there!

say that every other able man must not run. so that those five or six
Into the ottos. We have made progress because wo have power. Wo have a

But we also have the _
ibled has the right and power to look back on oar

a are created not to give five or ate mea a
"Can't we find In the shop six or seven mear
! Nominate them! Don't make a rale aad

>e officers should serve or not

My friends. I will go further and say that, from what I know of the

organisation, they would never servo if • *• that they are

i he membership. Why make these rules? Why play at
we have a real democracy at work?

We have been making many attempts to got mea oa oar staff. And lot mo
you. delegates, that it Is not necessary for a man to be first oa the General
Board In order to get on the staff. We are making no promisee to the
Board members that they must get on the staff. Out of a staff of over thirty
toon, three are serving on the Board by virtue of their election, by virtue of nothing
else but the fact that the membership at large electd them. Way. delegates. If you
are so convinced, why not go to the membership when the vote takes place aad too
them not to vote for those people, because they are general organisers? Why
make a rule? Why establish a law that we cannot enforce even If we want to?

My friends. 1 say we have dons well. We have done wen not bscemi of the
General Executive Board. We have done well because there was the reeJ pro-
gressive spirit In our organisation. Because we were not playing at dsmoeracy.
because we were exercising democracy. And 1 do hope that the dologitat will take
this proposition In the same spirit and permit the membership at large to vote la?
those whom they think are best fit to administer the alga osloii hi oar iMjiilailisa
I thank you. (Applause.)

We will vote right from the beginning by the raising of haads The vote to

AVI ttiA SWL i •„»-• Jd aj »A«h^h.M*

uu in* aiinomy rwporv.

Delegate GOODMAN: I move that we vote by roll call.
The motion was carried.
President HILLMAN: The vote Is on
organisers should be permuted to run for
The roll call vote was as follows:

LOCAL AND CITY

YES

Jos, Poaalal
r>sjsj|

ABSENT
Jack

New York City . . David

Bam

ttl

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

LOCAL AND CITY
?• New York City

4. New York City

YES

Alex Cohen
Morris Goldin
L. Nirenberg
L. Revayle
S. Weinsteln

A. Beckerman
J. P. Friedman

ABSENT

Harry Jacobson
Meyer Senter

hicago, 111. . .
7. Brooklyn, N. Y

8. New York city

t. New York City
10. New York City

N'ew York City
N'ew York City

15. Baltimore, Md.
16 New York Cii

19. New York City

24. Newark, N .1

30. Brooklyn, N. Y.

36. Baltimore, Md.

318. Chicago, 111. .

39. Chicago, III.

.Nathan Sosnick
David Weiss

•w York City
>w York City

51. Baltimore, Md.

52. Baltimore, Md.

64. Brooklyn, N. Y.

65. New York City

58. Brooklyn, N. Y.

59. Baltimore, Md.

.Aaron Feldman

.Bennie Bernstein
Harry Crystal
Sarah Katzen

los. Newman

Frank Dvorak
.Frank Vaitukaltis
John Zubauch

.Wm. Cernowsky
.Bennie Hurowitz

Stephan Skala
Isador Axelrod
Louis Berger

Hyman Goldoft
Abr. Miller
D. Nirenberg

A. A. Silverman
Louis Feinberg
Louis Adler
Sam Katz
Philip Waldman

Sam Leder
Bennie Horowitz
Jacob Gutterman
S. Riger
Sam Scheir

Morris Goldstein
M. Nitzberg
Sam Stein
Louis Zuckerman
Max Yudelowitz

Eugene Bucci
Philip Berkowitz
Julius Powers

one-half each

Morris Zafran

W. Wybraniec

Bennie Branzal

A. N. Fisher
D. Goldberg
Rubin Morse
Mary Resbeck
T. Uzarski

Hyman Novodvor

B. Weiss
D. Isaac
Louis Shapiro
.T Yelowitz
Philip De Luca
Ulisse De Dominicis

Harry Bender

228

BALTIMOHI
LOCAL AND CITY Yli NO ABSENT

ulcaco. III.
43 NOT York Clt

QiMoi

Md ..Frank J Harlot
71 »taolHyt» via

74. Philadelphia. Pa Harry

I*. BrookJ) Frank MarroB*

L
Brooklyn. N «

.land. Ohio ..victor FnriBUB
Maltlmore. Md. ..Harry Btaom

Morris Blrkln
116 Montreal. Canada A. Walls

Malllmore. Md. ..Harry Newetadt

Max Roaliuky
110. Ixmiati
ISt. Philadelphia. Pa
lit. Philadelphia. Pa.

Philadelphia. Pa.

Brooklyn. N Y ..Harry Taylor

PfcfladofehUL Pa,

Cfctaaco. Ill Morrli Rahlnowlu

iso Boston. Mass. .

is: * 'hirajto. ill Joa. Goldman

lit. Philadelphia. Pa. .Loah Gal bin

ISC Now York City .iMorrls Adlnaky

Joa. Gold
Bam Llpttln
Jacob Pollack
U7 Ni w York City -Emma Shapiro Morris Cunt

IS*. New York City
1C!. Nrw York

ItS Brooklyn. N Y
1€? Monir-al. Canada
ICf. New York <

Wormter. Maaa.
175. Brooklyn. N Y. .

Harry Rabte

.Harry N. Greenbtrf

lodyke

Mamie Saatora

. .

178. New York <
ISC ork City

Harris Y
207. Woodbine, N Qlastr

90f . MontnMil. Canada F. Witt*

Brooklyn. N. Y. . .Sol Friedman

Brooklyn. Harry Kaluthkin

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

LOCAL AND CITY

YES

215. Brooklyn, N. Y. ..Max Alexander
Jack Perelman

218. Baltimore, Md. ...

230. Baltimore, Md. . . .John Drasel

241. Baltimore, Md. ...Sam Bassin
Abe Sykea

244. New York City .

247. Baltimore Md. ...

248. New York City ..

249. Philadelphia, Pa.

259. Brooklyn, N. Y. ..Louis Brodsky

B. Jackson
262. Brooklyn, N. Y. ..

t*9. Chicago, 111 Peter Galskls

277. Montreal, Canada
280. New York City

J. B. Rochester

J. B. Boston

J. B. Chicago

J. B. New York .... Wm. Druhln
J. B. New York Chi

Clothing Trade . . .

J. B. Toronto Jas. Blugerman

Phlla. District Council
Baltimore District

Council No. 3..

Total.

John J. Dcnkevlcz

B. Goldsholl
Morris Fisher

Sam Flicker

Henry Dozzo
P. Monat

D. Wolf

J. J. Young

E. Rahkln
Lorenzo De Maria
Jacob J. Levin
Lazarus Marcovltz
Hyman Isovltz

Harry Cohen
N. Bunln

ABSENT

Max Steinberg
Sam Drabkln

Thomas Frlsa

Hyman Blumberg
9

NOT VOTING
Sam'l Zorn, Local 1, Boston
J. S. Potofsky, Local 144, Chicago

Secretary SCHLOSSBERG: The vote is: For the minority report 62; against 96;
9 absentees and 2 not voting. (Applause.)

President HILLMAN: The motion to accept the minority report has been lost
All in favor that the majority report shall prevail will signify by saying Aye.

This was carried

President HILLMAN: Before adjourning I wish to announce that Resolution
No. 27, Introduced by Local 2, has been withdrawn.

RESOLUTION NO. 27.

R/esolved, that wherever editors of our official organs take the liberty to express
their personal opinions on questions not pertaining to our organization in the editorial
columns of our organs, that they do it in their own names and not in the name of
the organization, which the organ represents.

BASTERS AND TAILORS' BRANCH OF THE UNITED BROTHERHOOD
OF TAILORS, LOCAL 2, A. C. W. OF A,
J. Goodman, Chairman.
Harry Schepps, Secretary.

Secretary Schlossberg read the following greetings to the convention:

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

New York. May 17. iflf.

Best wishes for euccess of Third Biennial Convention of A. C. W. of A. Hope oar
requests will be granted.

EXECUTIVE BOARD LOCAL IS8.

Brooklyn. N. Y. May If. Iflf.

Our greetings to the Third Biennial Convention of the Amalgimated Clothing
Work. r« of America. May success he yours. The two thousand members of Local
fff. Veatmakers' Union of Brooklyn, are impatient for the forty-four hour week, and
hope that the neit convention of the Amalgamated will record our having won UUs

VIST MAKERS* UNION. LOCAL ffl.

New York. May 17. If If.
ooccss in all your •ndertal
LADIES' TAILORS' UNION. LOCAL fO. L L. G. W. U.

Accept ear heartiest congratulations. Wish you success in all your

New York. May 17. Iflf.

May your deliberations contribute to the continued betterment of the

of labor and wages In the clothing Industry and to the growth of labor solidarity

offullindtt

and might, for the reconstruction of the world on the basis

which the Amalgamated has made the underlying principles of Its

JO .-•• NEW YOltK HAT AND CAP MAKERS' UNION

M. Zaritsky. Secretary.

Baltimore. May 17. Iflf.

We congratulate you upon the spirit of the contention and wish you socoese I
the future.

BRANCH 44. WORKMEN'S CIRCLE.

The session waa adjourned at 5:35 P.M.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS O! AMKRICA

Ninth Session

Saturday Morning, May 18, 1918.
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 AJaf.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.
By Harry Cohen, Chairman.

RESOLUTION NO. 56. ON THE USE OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES, BY LOCAL ?,.
NEW YORK CITY.

Whereas, our organization is composed of members of various nationalities, and
Whereas, delegates attending our convention are not always able to express
their thoughts otherwise than in their own tongue, and

Whereas, this hinders many of the active and experienced men from participating
in the deliberations of the convention and giving us the benefit of their experience,
therefore be it

Resolved, that the delegates should have the right to express their opinions in
their mother tongue and same should be interpreted in English to the delegates of
the convention.

LOCAL 3, A. C. W. OF
A. Cohen.
S. Weinstein.
M. Goldin.
L. Revayel.
L. Nirenberg.

The committee recommends non-concurrence.

President HILLMAN: You have heard the report of the committee. The com-
mittee recommends non-concurrence with the resolution and moves the adoption
of its report.

Delegate WEINSTEIN of Local 3: I believe that those who cannot speak in
the English language should have the right to speak in the language in which they
can make themselves understood.

Delegate DVORAK of Local 52: I am absolutely opposed to this because, if you
have twenty-five people speaking different languages, nobody would understand any-
thing. If anybody here, for instance, spoke Bohemian, none would understand him.

Delegate REVAVKL of Local 3: Yesterday afternoon we talked a whole lot
about democracy, but when it comes to a convention where 40 or 50 per cent of. the
delegates are able to express their opinions only in their own languages, why should
they not be able to do so?

I should myself like to see that only one language used, but at the same time
there are many men who are able to express their views only in a foreign language.
Therefore we recommend this resolution to this convention. I ask you delegates to
consider it thoroughly. If the Amalgamated claims that it is a democratic organization,
this should be adopted in order that we should be able to express ourselves in the
languages we know best.

The motion recommending non-concurrence in the resolution was carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 55, ON INTRODUCTION OF MACHINERY, BY LOCAL 3, NEW
YORK CITY.

Whereas, machinery is being introduced in our industry more frequently now
than ever before, and

Whereas, with the introduction of this new machinery an overwhelming curtailment
of employment of our members is being brought about, causing suffering for our
members and also for our organization, therefore be it

Resolved, that this Third Biennial Convention go on record in favor of curtailing

232

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

the hours of labor In proportion to the Introduction of such new mnaiieij If the
Introduction of this new machinery will only apply to one particular branch of the
trade, the hours of labor for that particular branch ahould be reduced proportionately
thereby safeguarding our members from lack of work

LOCAL J, A, C. W. OF A,

B. Wetttteln.

L. Revajrel.
L. Nirenben.

Committee recommends that this resolution be referred to the G. E. B. for proper

President HILLJiAN: The recommendation of the ^^MMiKtinr is then, that this
matter be referred to the Incoming O. B. B. together with a committee from the
Preasers' Organizations Involved. In order that this matter may be thoroughly Investi-
gated and a solution sought. Is there any objection to the recommendation?

There was none, and the recommendation of the committee was unanimously
adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. 100. THANKING CONVENTION ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE.
BY NEW YORK DELEGATES.

Whereas, the Arrangements Committee of District Council No. 3. A. C. W. of A.,
has In a very effective manner looked after the convenience and comfort of the delegate*.

Whereas, special efforts were made by the Arrangements Committee to entertain
the delegates in a manner most satisfactory to the delegates, therefore be it

Resolved, that the Third Biennial Convention of the A. C. W. fl
Us aincerest thanks and appreciation for the splendid efforts of the
alttee of District Council No. 3 to entertain the delegates and
stay in the city of Baltimore most pleasant during the convention,
will surely carry pleasant memories of the Third Biennial Convention held in
Md

HAKKY rmiEN. Local 7.
J. P. FRIEDMAN. Local 4
HARRY TAYLOR, Local
MEYER 8ENTBR. Local ;.

BECKERMAN. Local
H IAOOB00M, Local 4.
The committee recommends concurrence.
This was unanimously carried.

President H1LLMAN: On behalf of the Convention I extend the thanks of the
Convention to the Arrangements Committee of our Baltimore organization.

Secretary 8CHLO88BERG: Mr. Chairman. I was asked by a member of the
Committee on Resolutions, of which Harry Cohen is Chairman, to report a resolution
that he vetoed, and that they adopted over his veto. Brother Cohen even committed
the impropriety of tearing up the resolution. I shall read it to you as well aa I can
from this mutilated document

RESOLUTION NO. 79. THANKING DELEGATE HARRY COHEN. BY LOCAL 175.
NEW YORK CITY.

Whereas, Brother Harry Cohen. Manager of the Children's Clothing Trades of
New York, has secured a flat $4 increase for the workers of this branch of the clothing
Industry, and

Whereas, this was done without a strike and to the entire satisfaction of the
Children's CMothlng Workers, be it, therefore

Resolved, that this convention expresses its gratitude and thanks to
Harry Cohen for his past achievements, and wish him success in the future.

LOi A C. W. OP A.

Simon Haas,
Jacob

The resolution was approved.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.
By Abraham Beckerman, Chairman.

RESOLUTION NO. 62, ON LITERATURE FOR MEMBERS IN THE NATIONAL
ARMY.

Whereas, a great number of our members are being drafted for service In the
United States Army and Nary, and

Whereas, Knowing that the Bible la probably the only kind of literature that
our boys are getting, be it

Resolved, that the A. C. W. of A. send proper literature to the members of our
organization in the service.

H. TAYLOR, Local 42.
B. INDYKE, Local 161.

The committee recommends non-concurrence in this resolution.

Secretary SCHLOSSBERG: I think the committee should have recommended
something else, instead of non-concurrence. There Is a mistake in the substance of
the resolution. It Is not quite so that the boys in the Army get only the Bible. They
might get that from those agencies who are Interested in circulating the Bible, but
there are other agencies who look after the distribution of all sorts of literature
among them. In our own press we published an appeal from the Jewish Welfare
Board, an organization that was formed for the purpose of looking after the comforts
of the Jewish soldiers. They have asked for literature of all sorts, on economics,
physics, religion, sociology, anything at all that any individual or organization desires
to send for the purpose of distributing among the soldiers. I understand that they
do not confine their to the Jewish soldiers, but they are really non-sectarian.

Everyone of us has an opportunity to send such literature. All that they ask
is that whatever literature is sent should be complete. That is, if there is a set of
books of three, don't send one; either send the complete set, or if you send one
book, see that that book is complete in itself, so that the soldier can get a complete
work.

I would suggest that this be referred to the General Executive Board, because
a complete system will be worked out as they go along that will enable everybody
to send literature to anyone in the army, such literature as you want them to read.

The recommendation of non-concurrence would mean that we don't want to send
them any literature. We do not wish to leave our action open to such interpretation.
I therefore suggest that this be referred to the General Executive Board.

Delegate ZORN: I move that this be referred to the G. E. B.

The amendment was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 5, ON LITERATURE FOR OUR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP, BY
LOCAL 39, CHICAGO.

Whereas, The Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America is a progressive
and democratic organization, ocmmanding respect in the Labor Movement, and its
aim is, and always has been, to educate its members, because only an organization
that has an educated membership can successfully conduct the struggles that a
labor organization is constantly confronted with, therefore be it

Resolved, That the Third Biennial Convention, at the Garden Theatre, Balti-
more, Maryland, instruct the Incoming General Officers to set up a book store in
the General Office in New York City, and be it further

Resolved, That said officers, or whoever will be designated by them, should
order books and pbamphlets in great quantities, so as to enable the General Officers
to sell them at a much lower cost than when the members are compelled to buy
at the publishers' retail price, and be it also

Resolved, That the General Office sell those books and pamphlets at a nominal
cost to the members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, and be It
further

Resolved, That a liberal supply of books and pamplets should at all times
be on stock at the General Office in as many languages as there are nationalities
represented in our organization, and be it finally

234

BALTIMORE CONVENT l

Resolved. That a catalogue constantly appear In our press of mil the books
and pamphlets on hand at the General Office, with the name of the book, its author,
and the price.

LOCAL 19. CHICAGO,
N. naher.

In conjunction with thU there U another resolution of a similar nature. That
U Resolu 53.

RB80 > M. ON I i-:8 AND READING ROOMS FOR OUR

MEMBERS. BY LOCAL S, NK

Whereas, an increase of ten cents In the per capita to our General Office
has been voted upon by oar general membership, and.

Whereas, It was understood that this raise in the per capita should be
partly for educational purposes, and

Whereas. It Is Important that a spiritual atmosphere should be created
our members for the purpose of bringing out the best that Is In them therefore be It

Resolved, that the General Office stand instructed to endeavor to the beet
of their ability to establish libraries and reading rooms in all clothing centers where
conditions will permit so ss to enable our members to enjoy their spare time
In a wholesome atmosphere among their fellow workers.*

LOCAL 3. A. C. W. OF
A. Cohen.

S \V. !'. ' '•
M. Go!

L. Neerenberg,
L. Revayel.

The committee recommends that these resolutions be concurred in and referred
to the Genera] Executive Board.

These resolutions were unanimously adopted with the recommendation of the
committee.

RESOLUTION NO. 40, MORAL AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TUB
NEW YORK CALL.

Whereas, the capitalist press has consistently distorted or suppressed news
relating to the struggles of the working class; and

Whereas. It therefore becomes necessary for the working class to maintain
an organ of its own so that It may have an opportunity to express its views; and

Whereas, the New York Call Is the only dally labor paper In the East, and
has always aided and faithfully represented the Interests of the working class; be It

Resolved, that we, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, in
ventlon at Baltimore, do pledge our moral and financial aid in Its support

A. BBCKERMAN. Local 4.
J FRIEDMAN, Local 4.
MEYER 8BNTER. LocaH,

PAUL ARNONE. Local 63.

The committee recommends concurrence,

Delegate RABKIN: I believe that Instead of -the only dally paper.** the
lution should read "the only dally paper in the English language.**
The resolution was unanimously adopted as corrected.

RESOLUTION NO. 24, ON LITHUANIAN PAPER, BY LITHUANIAN DELEGATION.

ereas. At the second biennial convention of the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers of America, held In Rochester. N. Y., May 1916. It was resolved that a
publication in the Lithuanian language should be issued by our organisation, and

oreas. Thousands of our members speak no other language but the Lithu-
anian. and. with no publication In said language issued by our organisation, they
are deprived of a very valuable source of education and information about the

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

struggles and achievements, the aims and principles of the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers of America, and

Whereas, The need of a publication in the Lithuanian language is more
imperative now than ever before, be it, therefore,

Resolved. That the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America publish not
later than six months after this date a newspaper in the Lithuanian language,
and be it further

Resolved. That the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America now assemble -d
at its third biennial convention in Baltimore, Md., hereby instruct and authorize the
General Executive Board to execute this resolution as adopted for the best interests
of our organization.

I. Marcovlti, U. Lebovitz, 6. Zorn, J. Blume, N. Biller, I. Takimo, J. Pennini,
T. Morelli. U. E. Sher, F. Lerman, D. Oilman.

The committee recommends concurrence and reference to the O. E. B.

Delegate ZOUBOWITZ: The other nationalities with less members have papers
In their own languages, and I believe we, Lithuanians, ought to have a papor in
our language.

Secretary SCHLOSSBERG: The great difficulty with the Lithuanian paper is
that it seems to be almost impossible to get an editor. It was just as impossible
to get an organizer. We have until now been unsuccessful in getting a competent
man to edit a Lithuanian paper for our members. The General Office has ;i
been aware of the necessity of a Lithuanian paper. We have not forgot t
and we have not given it up. As soon as it will be possible, arrangements for a
Lithuanian paper will be made. But the Lithuanians must make it their business
to help the General Office in bringing this about.

President HILLMAN: At our General Executive Board meetings we have decided
time and again to issue a Lithuanian paper, but, unfortunately, we could not find the
proper man to edit a paper. This resolution will instruct the incoming G. E. B.
to make further efforts for the issuance of a Lithuanian paper.

This resolution was unanimously carried.

RESOLUTION NO. 44, ON EDUCATIONAL WORK IN CANADA, BY
MONTREAL JOINT BOARD.

Taking into consideration the necessity of extensive cultural activity atnongst
Amalgamated members in Montreal, we decided to demand that this convention assign
a certain amount of money for educational work in Canada, and to organize lecture
tours for the discussion of trade union problems and workingmen's politics.

MONTREAL JOINT BOARD,
F. White, Local 209,
A. Wells, Local 116,
E. Rabkin, Local 277.

With this there was also a communication from the Rand School of Social
Science, offering to co-operate with us in work of the nature asked for by the
brothers in Canada. A representative of the Rand School was also present at the
committee meeting and suggested starting different classes — correspondence classes
for members throughout the country. We decided to couple the letter of Algernon
Lee and the statement of the Rand School together with Resolution No. 44 and refer
them to the General Executive Board, concurring with the general idea of spreading
education among the members.

This recommendation of the committee was unanimously adopted.

At this point Board Member Levin of Chicago took the Chair.

Delegate BECKERMAN: There is a Jewish letter here, from the Kropotkin
Society, asking for co-operation. The committee decided to refer it to the General
Executive Board.

The suggestion of the committee was unanimously adopted.

Delegate BECKERMAN: We have here a resolution which was handed in too
late for our consideration.

RESOLUTION NO. 104, ON EDUCATION, BY LOCAL 36, BALTIMORE

Whereas, members of the A. C. W. of A., at the Second Biennial Convention

236

BALTIMORE CONVENTION

in Rochester, adopted a resolution to educate its members tnroegboot the country.
Resolved, tbat $5,000 be appropriated for the above moatioaed purpose.

LOCAU It, A. C. W. OF A..

Crystal

Although the committee baa not met. it seems to me tbat
similar to the otber resolutions tbat have already been referred to the
Executive Board, and 1 doo't see tbat any oiber decision can be made on ibis
resolution, eicept to couple it along with the others and leave the whole matter
to the discretion of the (J E. B.

This suggestion was unanimously adopted.

President Hlllman at this point resumed the Chair.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS
By Hsrry Cohen

RESOLUTION NO. 87. ON THE WHOLESALE CLOTHING CLERKS. BY
LOCAL 158, NEW YORK

Whereas. We. the Clothing Clerks of the wholesale clothing Industry, numl
1.000 workers in an important part of the production of clothing, are
and underpaid, and the manufacturers have us at their mercy, can do as they
while we suffer hardships and also lack of organization;

Whereas, The Wholesale Clothing Clerks' Union. Local 158. baa been
lied and chartered for the past eight months;

Whereas, Our members, as a part of the clothing industry, are beginning to see
the li.

Whereas. We now have a reliable and active nucleus to build up a strong
organization; be it

Resolved. That this Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of

..•a call on the New York Joint Board and the Joint Board of the Children's

Clothing Trades to seat aa a delegation the representatives of our organization.

Be It Resolved. That in future the Wholesale Clothing Clerks' Union be
and supported morally and financially, the same as other branches of the

LOCAL 158. A. C. W. OF

Harry N. Greenberg.

The Committee recommends that it be refrred to the New York Joint Board.
If Local 158 should be dissatisfied with the action of the Joint Board it may appeal
to the G. E. B.

Delegate GREENBERG: The question has been before the G. E. B. at several
sessions. Our organization has done a whole lot for the clothing industry at various)
times. At all times we have done all in our power to help various strikes conducted
in New York City by different organizations in the clothing Industry. We don't
see why our organization, which has been in existence since January. 1916. and
chartered for the past eight months, should not get any support from the A.

< a local union. I believe we should b. he fu'.l rights and full

support, the same as other locals of the A. C. W. of A. We have no one to toll
our troubles to. On various occasions we have co-operated with the Cutters' Union.
We want to go out and try to accomplish the 48 hours that you men are baring
today. You are going to get the 44 hours in the very near future. Let the Whole-
sale Clothing Clerks' Union. Local 158. at least get the 48 hours. We are not
looking for 44. but give us 48 hours at the present time.

The men in our local have been paying dues at the rate of SO cents a

he past year. We are not giving them any support They are actually
for nothing, as you all know as well aa I do. And when a man has not the
of an organization or the support of the entire industry, he is going to lag in pay-
ments and drop out as a member. But if be seea that the organization baa some
power stating him when he loses his position, or seea that be gels what Is

coming to him aa an organization man. be will stick. Therefore I urge upo
and every delegate present here this morning to pass this resolution that we
have representation at the New York Joint Board.

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

Delegate SILVERMAN, Local 9: I believe that the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
of America Is an Industrial organisation, and we wish to see all branches in tho
clothing Industry organized under the banner of the Amalgamated. As to the
organization of the shipping and stock clerks' union I know that there is a very good
element In that organization, always ready and on the job, whenever there is work
for them to do. 1, for one, cannot see why the New York Joint Board would not
seat their delegates as representatives at the New York Joint Board. I believe that
we should give a chance to the Shipping Clerks' Union to have their represent;:
at the Joint Board, and take up their business with the New York Joint Bo
ever they have some business to be taken up. I, therefore, move to amend that
the Shipping Clerks' Union be permitted to be represented at the New York Joint
Board as are other branches of this Industry.

President HILLMAN: I wish to say to the delegates that it Is all very well
to come before the convention and make a plea, but it cannot be expected of the
delegates to acquaint themselves In five minutes time with all the bodies of the
organization. We have dealt with this question for months. This Wholesale (
Organization came time and again before the G. E. B.. assuring tl>< c. E. B. that
they will raise no issue In the market if a charter Is granted until the organization
to ready for It. We are an industrial organization, but that does not mean as yet
that we must sacrifice our existing organizations by undertaking tasks for which
we are not ready.

I believe It is unfair for the movers of the resolution to .put it up to the con
tion. without giving the convention the opportunity to acquaint itself with all the
facts. There Is the New York Joint Board. The Wholesale Clerks' Union can at
any time come to the New York Joint Board and lay its case before them. There
Is the General Organization. If they have any grievance, they may come before the
General Organization and lay it before them. The whole matter is not as simple
as It may appear. I do hope that the delegates will concur with the recommendation
of the Committee, because, after all, the New York delegation may act on it in New
York City if they feel that some wrong should be righted.

The recommendation of the committee was unanimously adopted.

RESOLUTION NO. 92, RECOMMENDED BY THE COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS
IN PLACE OF RESOLUTION SUBMITTED BY DELEGATE LIPZIN AT THE
EIGHTH SESSION.

Whereas, a very great number of the members of the Socialist Party of the
United States have rendered efficient and valuable service to the national and local
organizations of the A. C. W. of A., in the hard struggles the clothing workers went
through, and

Whereas, the organizations of the Socialist Party acted In close harmony with
the wishes of the organizations of the A. C. W. of A. in drafting legislative measures
to be introduced in various Legislatures of the states through the elected officials
of the Socialist Party, and

Whereas, the Socialist Party as part of the Workers' International stands for
a constructive program of social readjustment and reconstruction to take place
upon the conclusion of the war, and

Whereas, such program is entirely in accord with the repeated views of the
A. C. W. of A. on the same subject, be it, therefore,

Resolved, that the Third Biennial Convention of the A. C. W. of A. expresses Us
full sympathy with the work of the individual socialists and organizations tending to
bring about such readjustment of social conditions that would meet with the trend
of the world's progress toward a state of society where labor will be fully emancipated
and class prejudice and oppression will exist no longer.

The committee recommends concurrence with the resolution, and moves Us
adoption.

This was unanimously carried.

Secretary Schlossberg at this point took the Chair.

238

LTTMORE CONVENT:

REPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE
By Chairman Alex Cohen

RESOLUTION NO. 49. ON MERGING OP JOINT BOARDS IN NEW YORK. BT
LOCAL 156. NEW YORK

Whereas, at the last convention of the A. C. W. of A., a resolution was adopted
that the New York Joint Board and the Children's Clothing Trades Joint Board be
emerged in one Joint Board, therefore be It

that ibis convention order the carrying out of the dedsiesj of the last

The committee reports concurrence with this resolution

Delegate GOLD: I was instructed by my local union to take op this
here and present this resolution. Two years ago we submitted a similar
which pessed the convention, and up to the present time the) resolution Is still on
paper. We find It more necessary now than two years ago. especially because of
the uniform clothing. The manufacturers of New York realize that it Is to their
advantage to have one Joint Board, and they have merged Into one. We also find
that In order to benefit our members in New York more than we have up to the
present time. It will be necessary to have one Joint Board. Therefore we ask this
convention and the General Executive Board to see that the resolution of two
years ago. passed at the Rochester Convention, be carried out.

A point of information. May I be Informed If a
resolution of that kind was passed two years ago?

ilnnan SCKLOSSBERG: Yes, to bring the two Joint Boards of New York
together.

Delegate I would like to know If they met at any time.

Delegate GOLD I can say that they did.

Delegate COUKN I beg to differ.

Chairman SCHLOSS You have heard the answer.

Delegate GOODMAN: This is a very Important question. We have started to

the small local unions and we did not meet with success on account of this.

said, we cannot unite our local unions while our central bodies are not united.

The manufacturers had two separate bodies, and now they are uniting. Before) we

could not see it so clearly. The fact that the manufacturers' associations have com-

. has proven it to them. Therefore I think that this resolution Is in place.

Delegate Ml l don't know whether a decision of this convention will bring

about more close unity of the two Joint Boards, but I wish the delegates, particularly
the New York delegates, would consider this proposition from an organization stand-
point. I believe that we are suffering in New York ICty very much on account of
having these here two kingdoms: the Child rens* Jacket Makers' Joint Board OB one
side and the New York Joint Board on the other side. When we had the District
Council, the Childrens* Jacket Makers' Locals were united with the locals of the men's
clothing workers. Now. since we organized the New York Joint Board, we are
absolutely separated from the Children's Clothing Workers. In New York City we
had the First of May demonstration, which, in my opinion, was one of the most
glorious achievements of our organization. Although we had about 10.000 of our
members present, we could have had many thousands more, many turned back because
of lack of space, if the Children's Clothing Workers would have also p& :

In the everyday routine work we frequently come in conflict with each other. I
believe it is high time for this convention to come out definitely and urge both Joint
Boards to unite. I believe that when we will do that we will have one of the most
powerful, one of the most efficient central bodies in New York City.

Chairman 8CHLO8SBBRG: Delegates. 1 want to call your attention to one
thing. We have shown in this convention the efficiency of democracy. Now the most
immediate ideal of democracy for us just now is to adjourn as quickly as we can.
80 I would urge all the delegates to take op as little time as possible in this dlemtaioo.

Delegate HARRY COHEN: Regarding the question of amalgamating both Joint
Boards. I think that the delegates of New York are misrepresenting the situation
in stating that they are suffering because there are two Joint Boards. I jeg to differ.
because I can prove that the New York market has gained a great deal because there

AMALGAMATED CLOTHING WORKERS OF AMERICA

were two Joint Boards. For instance, we all know that the Children's Clothing
Workers were at all time* on the Job to improve conditions. After the Children's
Clothing Trades Joint Board got its demands, the New York Joint Board followed.

For tha

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